Is Exercise Or Glucosamine Better For Arthritis
Are you one of the 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis ? If so, youre probably familiar with OA pain. OA is the second most expensive condition treated in US hospitals today, and the leading cause of disability. It results from degeneration of cartilage in your joints , and this leads to inflammation andyou guessed itpain.
But Good NewsCurrently, there are several surgical and nonsurgical options that may relieve pain associated with OA . One very popular non-surgical option is a glucosamine supplement, which you can buy at most grocery stores. Although glucosamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body, the supplement form is often harvested from shellfish and is thought to improve joint structure and function by supporting healthy cartilage. Sounds great, right? Well, unfortunately, research on glucosamine is a bit sketchy , so you might want to consider other options too. One alternative approach to relieving OA pain that we will talk about is exercise. This is because exercise can help build muscle to stabilize joints and relieve pain .
So, whats your best bet for easing OA pain? Here, well compare the research on glucosamine and exercise, so that you can decide how to spend your time and money.
ExerciseWe found a total of 12 studies that examined the effects of different forms of exercise on OA symptoms. Here they are:
What about Glucosamine?We found a whopping 19 trials on glucosamine . Here they are:
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Osteoarthritis And Joint Degeneration
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on the ends of the joints wears down and the exposed bones rub together. This degenerative process causes excess friction in the joints, which leads to loss of motion, stiffness and joint pain. Osteoarthritis is more common among middle-aged and older individuals. Symptoms can range from mild to very severe pain in the back, neck, hands, hips, knees, and/or feet.
When degenerative osteoarthritis occurs in the back, it is usually referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis .
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are believed to impact the cartilage degeneration process of osteoarthritis in the following ways:
Does Drinking Water Help In Alleviating Arthritis Pain
Rheumatology Symptoms
There is no doubt that maintaining hydration is very essential for your health. Water offers a wide range of health benefits and protects your body from many health problems. Many scientists wonder whether drinking an adequate amount of water helps in alleviating rheumatology symptoms and prevent the development of arthritis. Even though the information is limited, some anecdotal records are showing positive results.
Lets take a look at the benefits of drinking water when you have arthritis.
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The Role Hydration Plays In Your Body
Staying hydrated is one of the essential facets of keeping ones body healthy. Water plays multiple roles in keeping the human body able and active. When properly hydrated, our body can deliver nutrients to the cells, protect vital organs and tissues, have adequate blood volume and circulation, and flush out waste to prevent disease.Your body constantly uses water to perform bodily functions, which means your internal water supply is consistently being depleted. Therefore, its essential to stay on top of your water consumption to prevent your internal water levels from draining.
How Dehydration Affects Arthritis
Drinking enough water helps your body function properly.
Water helps cushion your joints, which RA and other types of arthritis affect. Its important to keep your joints working as well as possible when you have RA or other joint-related conditions.
Water can also help reduce inflammation in your body by flushing out toxins. Inflammation can cause joint swelling and discomfort.
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when your body does not have enough fluid. You may experience dehydration because of:
- being in hot weather
- fatigue
Fatigue is also a symptom of RA.
To treat dehydration, you need to take in more fluids. Mild cases of dehydration can be treated with drinking fluids at home. Severe dehydration may require you to visit a hospital to receive intravenous fluids.
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Can Drinking Water Help Joint Pain
Joint pain can be an extremely debilitating and distressing experience, punctuated by pain, discomfort and restricted mobility. Whether you have been suffering from an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis or have sustained an injury, the chances are that youve been prescribed a variety of pain medications from your doctor, which may or may not be relieving your symptoms.
However, you might also be overlooking a simple but essential factor in the management of joint pain – water.
Most of us are probably aware of the overall benefits of drinking water it can prevent kidney infections, it keeps our skin cells strong, it supports our immune system and generally keeps things ticking over. On average, we should be drinking about 8-10 glasses of plain water a day, depending on our gender and lifestyle. What we’re perhaps not so knowledgeable about, however, is how water can directly impact our sensitivity to joint pain.
In order to understand this, we first have to understand the function of cartilage. The cartilage is a connective tissue that lines the surface of the joints and acts as a cushion between the bones, absorbing shock and easing friction. Cartilage is kept lubricated by a gel-like liquid known as synovial fluid, which is formed by glycosaminoglycan bonding with sulphur compounds.
Benefits Of Hydrogen Water
There are different ways to consume molecular hydrogen. But drinking hydrogen-rich water the method used in this study offers some unique benefits. What makes this method unique?
First of all, drinking hydrogen-rich water prevents dehydration. Drinking water can also help cut consumption of unhealthy things, like sugary sodas and artificially flavored juice drinks.
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Best Foods For Arthritis
Although there is no diet cure for arthritis, certain foods have been shown to fight inflammation, strengthen bones and boost the immune system. Adding these foods to your balanced diet may help ease the symptoms of your arthritis. Find out how.
Fuel Up on Fish
Because certain types of fish are packed with inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, experts recommend at least 3 to 4 ounces of fish, twice a week. Omega-3-rich fish include salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring.Great for: rheumatoid arthritis
Step Up to Soy
Not a fan of fish but still want the inflammation-busting benefits of omega-3 fatty acids? Try heart-healthy soybeans . Soybeans are also low in fat, high in protein and fiber and an all-around good-for-you food.Great for: rheumatoid arthritis
Opt for Oils
Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats, as well as oleocanthal, which has properties similar to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. But its not the only oil with health benefits. Avocado and safflower oils have shown cholesterol-lowering properties, while walnut oil has 10 times the omega-3s that olive oil has. Great for: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis
Check Out Cherries
Studies have shown cherries help reduce the frequency of gout attacks. Research has shown that the anthocyanins found in cherries have an anti-inflammatory effect. Anthocyanins can also be found in other red and purple fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.Great for: gout
Go Green
Glucosamine And Chondroitin For Osteoarthritis Pain
Research is mixed on whether these supplements help with OA pain and stiffness, but they are safe to try.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular supplements used to treat osteoarthritis . According to one estimate from the NIH, 6.5 million adults, or 2.6 percent of the population, has used one or both of these products. Although studies on glucosamine and chondroitin have been mixed, some evidence suggests they may help relieve OA joint pain and stiffness.
What Are Glucosamine and Chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in healthy cartilage the connective tissue that cushions joints. Supplements are manufactured from the cartilage of animals such as cows, pigs, or shellfish, or are made in a lab. Glucosamine is sold in different forms, including glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. You can buy glucosamine and chondroitin individually, but most often theyre sold together in a single supplement.
In many European countries, these supplements are a prescribed treatment for OA. In the U.S., the recommendations on glucosamine and chondroitin are more moderate, due to the mixed results of studies.
How Do They Work?
Glucosamine and chondroitin protect cells called chondrocytes, which help maintain cartilage structure. In theory, these supplements have the potential to slow cartilage deterioration in the joints, and to reduce pain in the process.
The Evidence
Complementary Therapies
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Do You Drink Enough Water Ask Your Back If You Experience Frequent Back Pain Upping Your H2o Might Help Heres Why
Youve heard it all your life: Drink water, at least eight glasses a day. Whether it was your mother, teacher, or doctor telling you this, turns out they were on to something. In fact, in addition to making you feel your best from head to toe, water can help relieve back pain.
Up your H20 intake and possibly spare your back.
Dana Cohen, MD, author of Quench, a book on the science and importance of water, believes that proper hydration is the single most important thing we can do to treat and prevent chronic illness. Hows that for a stamp of approval on something you can do every day?
Here, Dr. Cohen answers your burning questions on how to quench your thirst and alleviate back pain in the process.
Side Effects And Risk Factors
In moderation, lemon water can be a part of a healthy diet. Nonetheless, lemons are high in acid, which can have some harmful effects. People with cavities or weak teeth should avoid drinking lemon water, as should people who are allergic to citrus.
Dentists warn patients to avoid eating or drinking too many acidic foods that may damage their tooth enamel. Over time, highly acidic foodslike lemonscan erode your enamel and lead to tooth pain or decay.To protect your teeth, dilute your lemon juice with plenty of water and rinse your mouth with water immediately after finishing your cup of lemon water. Avoid drinking lemon water with sugar. If you drink lemon water frequently, consider using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. An older 2004 Duke research study done in guinea pigs indicated that too much vitamin C could actually worsen knee osteoarthritis symptoms. While this study did not evaluate how high doses of vitamin C impact human subjects, you should consult your healthcare provider about these risks if you are at risk of osteoarthritis or have been diagnosed with the condition.
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Results Showed Glucosamine Sulfate To Improve Pain And Function
The research team didnt expect to see any changes until the six-month mark but were surprised to see results after just three months, reporting 18 percent difference in reduction of pain between the study and control group. The only side effects reported by the glucosamine sulfate group were some cases of mild and transient gastrointestinal upset.
Best Grains For Arthritis
Making smarter choices in the bread and pasta aisles might reduce inflammation.
Choosing which type of pasta to cook for dinner or what bread or cereal to have with breakfast doesnt seem like a big decision, until you consider the effect certain grains can have on your body. Eating the wrong types can aggravate inflammation, potentially making your joints hurt more than they already do.
Pro-Inflammatory Grains
When contemplating your options in the bread, cereal and pasta aisles, youll want to avoid refined grains. Not only are these highly processed grains limited in nutrition, but they can also worsen inflammation throughout the body.
Grains are made up of three parts: The bran is the outer skin of the grain kernel, the germ is the innermost part that grows into a new plant, and the endosperm is the center part that provides food for the plant. Whole grains contain all three parts. Refined grains have removed the bran and germ, where most of the vitamins, minerals and protein are centered.
Examples of food made with refined grains are white bread, white rice, cookies and cakes. Because of their simple structure, these carbs break down in the body rapidly. The body turns them into sugar more quickly and sugar is highly inflammatory, says Barbara Olendzki, nutrition program director of the Center for Applied Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.
Should You Avoid All Grains?
Better Grain Choices
Related Resources:
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Arthritis Pain Remedy: Water Cures
There is an arthritis pain remedy in the water cures protocol. Dr. Batmanghelidj, the author of Your Bodies Many Cries For Water, discovered that the cause of arthritis, lupus and many other diseases is a lack of hydration and electrolytes in the body.
He went on to learn that even pain can be eliminated for many people by properly hydrating the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an inflammatory disease of the joints. Many have had success in reducing pain using the water cures protocol. The water and salt help both to eliminate the inflammation and end the pain. The unprocessed salt and water help hydrate the synovial tissue. Hydration is essential to maintain lubrication and overall joint health.
Rheumatoid arthritis most often affect the hips, elbows, shoulders, fingers, and wrists. As the cartilage is destroyed, the scar tissue that replaces the area that is destroyed. This results in deformity often noted in later stages of the disease.
The pain experienced by both is related to the inflammation.
Benefits For Arthritis And Gout Patients
When you have arthritis or gout, it’s important to stay hydrated, and drinking enough water is the best way to do that. Lemon water can be a healthier alternative to sodas or sugary beverages and it also has specific benefits for arthritis.
First, vitamin C may prevent the onset of arthritis in the first place. A 2004 study found that people who get 40 mg of vitamin C a day are significantly more likely to develop inflammatory arthritis than those people who consume 40 to 65 mg.
Vitamin C can prevent future arthritis symptoms. Patients need vitamin C to maintain strong joints and recover from injuries. At least one study has found that arthritis patients who consume high doses of vitamin C show reduced long-term damage to their joints.
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Orthopedic Care In Gillette Wyoming
If you have concerns when it comes to your orthopedic health, Wyoming Orthopedics & Spine is here to help in Gillette, Wyoming. We can evaluate your options so you can rest assured that you get the best possible outcome and are back to a happy and active life in no time.
Call WYOS at 307.686.1413 or visit www.wyomingorthospine.com to learn more.
Beverages To Ease Arthritis Pain
Remember the saying You are what you eat? Well, turns out you are what you drink, too! When we think of nutrition, we often think only of solid foods. But what you drink is a large part of what we put into our bodies and should be considered as part of our overall nutrition. Making healthy beverage choices is equally as important as choosing healthy foods.
What you eat and drink is passed on as information to your bodys organs and can have an adverse effect on how you feel. Consuming sugary drinks such as soda can negatively affect your bodys ability to absorb calcium. Instead, try these drinks. Besides being healthy choices, you may very well find them to help relieve arthritis pain!
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Is Your Joint Pain Related To Dehydration
If its hot and you feel particularly uncomfortable, its likely that dehydration is at least partially to blame. Even mild dehydration may have effects on your pain level.
The synovial fluid and the cartilage tissue cells need water to help reduce friction and maintain motion between the joints, says Dr. Cadet. Even small amounts of dehydration or not drinking enough water daily can contribute to joint pain.
Depending on how dehydrated you are and your specific condition, your symptoms may be mild or severe.
I dont know if we can put a time course on it, but obviously the more dehydrated you are the more time that lapses, the more apparent joint pain or other symptoms may be, says Dr. Cadet. There are also other more serious conditions, like heat stroke and muscle breakdown, that can occur with severe dehydration.
Common signs of dehydration, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:
- Headache, confusion, or delirium
- Dry mouth and/or a dry cough
- High heart rate but low blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Flushed skin, swollen feet, and muscle cramps
- Heat intolerance or chills
- Constipation
- Dark-colored pee
You may see symptoms of dehydration improve five to 10 minutes after drinking water. But if you think your symptoms are severe, or are taking longer to improve, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Severe symptoms of dehydration may include:
Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water For Arthritis And Gout
Lemon water have been touted as a sort of cure-all for various health conditions, including arthritis and gout. Some of these statements may be overblown, but lemon water does have some health value.
Researchers have studied lemon water as a potential source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Additionally, some people may be more hydrated if they enjoy the flavor of lemon water in comparison to unflavored water. Nonetheless, the vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons can be powerful natural remedies to help people manage their inflammation.
Properties and health benefits
A lemon is a citrus fruit high in vitamin C and citric acid. Lemon water is simply lemon juice in water. Some people choose to add mint or cucumber slices to their lemon water for a little extra nutrition and flavor, and some people prefer to drink their lemon water either hot or cold.
A cup of lemon water containing the juice of a whole lemon provides around 20% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C.
Lemon nutrition facts: According to the USDA, a cup of lemon water containing the juice of one lemon has:
- Around 19 mg of vitamin C
- About 11 calories
- Almost 10 micrograms of folate, a vitamin that prevents anemia
- 49 mg of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte that helps your muscles and nerves function.
What is lemon water good for?
Benefits for arthritis and gout patients
Recommended daily intake of vitamin C
How to make lemon water
Side effects and risk factors
Final words
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