Conventional Treatments And Their Effectiveness
To this date, no particular cure has been discovered to completely stop the progression of arthritis and to completely reverse the damage that the disease has done to an affected patient. This, however, does not mean patients with arthritis in their knee have to live with the pain, discomfort and other symptoms that the disease causes.
Medical experts have been able to develop numerous treatments that help a patient control the symptoms, reduce the pain and inflammation, improve range of motion and even to slow down the rate at which arthritis progresses thus helping the patient continue living their life without the symptoms of their condition becoming too much of an interference.
Prior to receiving treatment, a diagnosis should first be made. Doctors usually conduct a series of imaging tests, including X-rays and MRI scans to determine whether a patient has developed arthritis in their knee or not.
WebMD explains that the most common form of treatment for reducing the severity of the symptoms that the disease causes include a series of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drug with the most common types being ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen.
Should a patients condition be too severe, they may also receive a hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid injection directly into their knee to help lubricate their joints and to reduce the inflammation that is present more effectively .
Follow A Mediterranean Diet
This type of diet includes poultry, fish, and less lean red meat than a typical UK diet, plenty of vegetables , fresh fruit, olive oil, wholegrain cereals, peas and beans and nuts and seeds. This means saturated fats are reduced and replaced by unsaturated fats including omega-3. Research has shown an improvement in the symptoms experienced by people with RA when following this diet. To adopt this way of eating, aim for four or more portions of vegetables and two or more portions of fruit daily.
Use more of the oils and products rich in monounsaturated fats olive and rapeseed oil. Using more omega-3 polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats may help to reduce inflammation and reduce symptoms. Eating an assortment of colourful fruit and vegetables will increase your intake of compounds called antioxidants which may help to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of RA.
Safety And Side Effects
While Epsom salt is generally safe, there are a few negative effects that can occur if you use it incorrectly. This is only a concern when you take it by mouth.
First of all, the magnesium sulfate in it can have a laxative effect. Consuming it may result in diarrhea, bloating, or upset stomach.
If you use it as a laxative, make sure to drink plenty of water, which may reduce digestive discomfort. Furthermore, never take more than the recommended dosage without first consulting your doctor.
Some cases of magnesium overdose have been reported, in which people took too much Epsom salt. Symptoms include nausea, headache, lightheadedness, and flushed skin (
Contact your doctor if you experience signs of an allergic reaction or other serious side effects.
Summary
The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt can produce side effects when taken by mouth. You can prevent these by using it correctly and talking with your doctor before increasing your dosage.
Here are a few of the most common ways to use Epsom salt.
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Effective Epsom Salts As An Arthritis Cure
According to the logic of ancient medical sciences, arthritis, a wide-spread chronic disease all over the globe, is caused due to the excretion of toxins in joints of body. This is caused by destabilized colon and weak digestion system, leading to the accrual of undigested food and building up of waster materials.
Poor digestive system allows the toxins to stock up in the body and trouble with colon allows toxins in reaching to the joints. The main symptoms of arthritis include stress, fever, rigidity and pain in the affected muscles, tenderness and pain in the joints that are provoked by any activity or movement like typing, writing or turning a key, stiffness and unbearable pain in joints.
In addition to exercise, diet and other treatment therapies, one can also use Epsom salts as an arthritis cure to help the body in clearing toxins, relieving pain and restoring mobility. Magnesium is one of the most important necessary minerals required by the body, as it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis actions and may be immersed in the skin.
An arthritis remedy suggested by New England is to take a hot bath with Epsom salts , which is very effective in boosting blood circulation and reducing the swelling caused by arthritis. For this bath, the patients should fill up the bath tub with hot water as they can bear. After adding 2 cups full of Epsom salts into it, they should take a bath every day of approximate 30 minutes.
How To Treat Arthritis Symptoms At Home
Natural remedies for arthritis are difficult to find. Some home remedies are simply not effective, while other treatments for arthritis may contain harsh chemicals and additives. Prescription drugs for arthritis can certainly be effective, but most people prefer to go the natural route. Natural products applied topically can provide rapid relief from arthritis pain and even help to prevent arthritis symptoms.*
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Epsom Salt Bath Side Effects
When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe.
If youve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first.
Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath.
Stop use if you experience:
- itchy skin
- treat muscle spasms and seizures caused by magnesium deficiency
Its used orally to treat:
- constipation
- low magnesium levels in blood
Theres that magnesium taken orally has a positive effect for several conditions, including:
- stroke
- diabetes
It is, however, also possible to take too much magnesium by mouth.
Always check with your doctor before using Epsom salt by mouth. Follow the package instructions exactly. Too much magnesium can cause an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure.
Relieve Itchy Skin And Bug Bites
Epsom salt can also be used for relieving itchy skin from bug bites or other reactions. Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a cup of water and let it cool. Spritz on bug bites or itchy skin to help calm the itch. A drop of lavender right on a mosquito bite also helps calms the itch. Or add some lavender to the spray.
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Home Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that usually affects the lining of smaller joints like fingers and toes. With time, it can even affect the knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. Eventually, it can result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , in 2007, there were about 1.5 million Americans suffering from this disease.
It is more common in women than men. It is usually diagnosed in people over age 40, however, younger adults and even children can have it.
Other risk factors include family history, environmental factors like smoking, exposure to silica mineral and chronic periodontal disease.
Also known as RA, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the membranes that surround the joints . It is not known what starts this process.
Symptoms of RA come and go. When the body tissues are inflamed, the disease is active and leads to symptoms including muscle and joint aches, swelling, morning stiffness, and fatigue. When the tissue inflammation subsides, the disease is inactive and symptoms go away.
There is no known cure for RA. However, medicines as well as many home remedies can ease the symptoms and provide relief.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis.
What Is A Mineral Bath
Mineral baths are warm and contain at least 1 gram of dissolved minerals in each liter of water. The distinctive scent of many mineral baths is from sulfur, but magnesium is also present in most natural springs. Other minerals may also be present.
Since ancient times, people in search of relaxation or pain relief have taken to the waters, immersing themselves in warm mineral baths at natural springs. Theres even a word, balneotherapy, for the therapeutic use of bathing in mineral water, usually offered at spas.
Many people living with arthritis or other chronic pain keep Epsom salt as a bathroom staple, sprinkling it in the bathtub for extra relief or relaxation.
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Ra Pain
Vagus nerve stimulation is a treatment in which an implanted electronic device delivers electrical pulses to the vagus nerve .
A proof-of-concept study published in July 2016 in the journal PNAS found that vagus nerve stimulation reduced markers of systemic inflammation in patients with RA, as well as RA signs and symptoms including pain. A follow-up pilot, placebo-controlled study presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in June 2019 reported similar findings.
This treatment is not ready for clinical use, however, and the few studies on it had a small number of participants.
What Is Rheumatoid Factor
The immune system is an organized method through which the body fights off infections caused by bacteria, viruses and other organisms. A normal immune response to infection often involves the production of proteins such as antibodies to kill these invading organisms.
Sometimes, however, certain antibodies produced by the immune system may attack healthy proteins. In other words, the antibodies turn against the persons body damaging their health in the process.
When this occurs, the immune response that is triggered may result in what we now know as an autoimmune disorder. A variety of conditions have been shown to occur from these autoimmune responses.
Rheumatoid factor is one of many antibodies that are known to attack healthy tissue through an autoimmune process. When triggered, rheumatoid factor antibodies attack the healthy tissue resulting in a variety of symptoms.
Typically, these symptoms cause inflammation in the synovium a layer of soft tissue on the inner surface of joints, eventually leading to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor can also cause other symptoms seen in autoimmune disorders like Sjogrens Syndrome.
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How Does It Work
When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions.
The idea is that these particles can be absorbed through your skin, providing you with magnesium and sulfates which serve important bodily functions.
Despite claims on the contrary, there is no good evidence that magnesium or sulfates are absorbed into your body through the skin .
Yet the most common use for Epsom salt is in baths, where it is simply dissolved in bathwater.
However, it can also be applied to your skin as a cosmetic or taken by mouth as a magnesium supplement or a laxative.
Summary
Epsom salt dissolves in water and so can be added to baths and used as a cosmetic. However, there is no evidence that your body can absorb its minerals through the skin.
Many people, including some healthcare professionals, claim Epsom salt is therapeutic and use it as an alternative treatment for several conditions.
An Epsom Salt Bath May Soothe Eczema
The National Eczema Association recommends a number of different types of bathsincluding one with Epsom saltto help take the sting out of the bath and soothe the dry, itchy patches. A 2005 study from the International Journal of Dermatology found that magnesium salts can reduce inflammation and aid dry skin. Find out if your itchy skin is caused by eczemaor something else.
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An Epsom Salt Bath May Ease Your Aches And Pains
One of the most popular uses of an Epsom salt bath is to help soothe away muscle aches after a hard workout or a long day of work. Some believe that the chemical composition of the saltmagnesium sulfatecan be absorbed by the skin to help block receptors from feeling the pain. While it is true that taking magnesium blocks pain receptors, its not as clear if sitting in a bath is as effective, says Amy Baxter, MD, founder and CEO of MMJ Labs, and clinical associate professor with the Medical College of Georgia. So it may be the magnesium helping or it may just be the warm, relaxing bath. Either way, well take it.
Herbs For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Daves Recovery Formula Cramp bark for muscle cramping, Horsetail for urinary health and trace minerals, Oat straw for trace minerals, Wild lettuce for muscles, Thyme for warming and inflammation, Nettle for reducing histamine, all herbs traditionally used to relax muscles, with anti-inflammatory properties.
Daves Relief Formula Corydalis for pain, Boswellia for inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, Myrrh and Ginger for inflammation, all herbs used traditionally for swelling and inflammation in tissues and joints.
Great Corydalis this Chinese herbal combines Corydalis and Angelica dahurica and is designed to move energy that is disturbed. Many customers have reported wonderful joint pain relief.
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Surprising Benefits Of An Epsom Salt Bath
The new year is in full swing and, so far, it still feels a little chaotic. Take heart! Everything is moving in the right direction, and if you need to take a break, then learn here about the delightful benefits of an Epsom salt bath.
That drugstore staple does more than just make a nice bath soak. See what an Epsom salt bath can do for you.
How To Do It
There really is no downside to taking a warm bath, although its important to check with your doctor first if you have low blood pressure. This is because hot water can temporarily lower blood pressure.
The Mayo Clinic recommends adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water. More than that can make the water feel slippery. It may also be drying to your skin.
Lower concentrations you can try are:
- 300 grams of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water
- 1 cup of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water
- 2 cups of Epsom salt added to your bathtub of water
Soak for at least 15 minutes. If youre soaking in an Epsom salt bath for aches and pains, make sure not to use water thats too hot. This might worsen instead of reduce swelling.
Other ways to use Epsom salt in a soak:
Many Epsom salt advocates believe the amount of magnesium able to enter the body through the skin is sufficient for reducing swelling and relieving aches. Its also thought that Epsom salts are effective for soothing skin and reducing irritation and itching.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Rhus tox caused from exposure to wet weather conditions. There is often an associated skin condition. All symptoms are worse in wet or cold conditions. The tendons and ligaments are affected. Pain is evident upon first movement after resting and then gets better after continued movement. There is great stiffness, especially in the mornings. There is restlessness associated because it alleviates the stiffness.
Causticum pain and stiffness in the joints with severe weakness walking is unsure. Shortened tendons. Arthritis of fingers and hands. Opposite to Rhus tox as one feels better in damp weather. Feels worse in cold dry weather and first movement. Fingers become deformed.
Arnica montana for weakness and pain of the soft tissues. The cause is physical or emotional trauma. The person may be obese and feels beaten up. The bed feels too hard. Everything feels worse from movement or touch, fears being touched. Shoulder-to-hand pains.
Bryonia is the classic homeopathic remedy for painful arthritis where every movement is painful. The patient is irritable and worse in cold dry weather. Any touch or bump causes pain. Feels better from pressure. Pain is sharp like a knife.
Exercise Performance And Recovery
Some people claim that taking Epsom salt baths can reduce muscle soreness and relieve cramps both important factors for exercise performance and recovery.
It is well known that adequate magnesium levels are helpful for exercise because magnesium helps your body use glucose and lactic acid .
While relaxing in a hot bath may help soothe aching muscles, there is no evidence that people absorb bathwater magnesium through their skin .
On the other hand, oral supplements can effectively stave off magnesium insufficiency or deficiency.
Athletes are prone to low magnesium levels, so health professionals often recommend that they take magnesium supplements to ensure optimal levels.
While magnesium is clearly important for exercise, the use of bath salt to enhance fitness is not well researched. At this point, the supposed benefits are purely anecdotal.
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Possible Side Effects Of Epsom Salt Usage
Never use a higher dose of Epsom salt than what is recommended on the package label or as your doctor has directed. Magnesium sulfate taken orally can make it harder for your body to absorb other medications you take by mouth, especially antibiotics. Avoid taking other medicines within two hours before or after you take magnesium sulfate as a laxative. If you have rectal bleeding or if you do not have a bowel movement after using magnesium sulfate as a laxative, stop using the medication and call your doctor at once. These may be signs of a more serious condition.
Magnesium in any form, including Epsom salt, must be used with caution in patients with renal failure, since it is processed by the kidneys and can reach toxic levels easily in those patients. Magnesium sulfate is often used to successfully treat eclampsia and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, but pregnant or nursing women should generally exercise caution and consult their doctors being using Epsom salt.
As always, if you have any questions or health concerns, check with a doctor before internal or external use of Epsom salt.
See full article here: DrAxe.com
These articles provide nutritional information only and do not replace professional medical advice.
Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These statement are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.