Are There Any Pain Relievers That You Can Take Without A Prescription
Topical pain relievers are also available without a doctors prescription. These products include creams, lotions, or sprays that are applied to the skin in order to relieve pain from sore muscles and arthritis. Some examples of topical pain relievers include Aspercreme, BenGay, Icy Hot, and Capzasin -P.
There are many different names for the over-the-counter medications that people take to relieve joint pain. Most products rely on just a few ingredients to do that.
How Does Heat And Cold Help Arthritis Pain
Heat or cold therapy works by stimulating your body’s own healing force. For instance, heat dilates the blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation, and reduces muscle spasms. In addition, heat alters the sensation of pain. You can use either dry heat — such as heating pads or heat lamps — or moist heat — such as warm baths or heated wash cloths.
Conversely, cold compresses reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. While cold packs may be uncomfortable at first, they can numb deep pain.
Best Fruits For Arthritis
Pick these fruits for a bowlful of anti-inflammatory benefits.
Fruits are naturally sweet and many offer a substantial dose of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Some have components that may help lower the inflammation that often affects people with arthritis and is linked to other serious conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
The vast variety of fruits means you have lots of great options for a healthful boost. Many berries, for example, are loaded with antioxidants, such ascorbic acid and anthocyanins and carotenoids, which give soft berries their deep colors. These compounds help rid the body of free radicals that promote inflammation and they help prevent heart disease and certain cancers.
Whatever your favorite fruit, try to choose seasonal, locally grown produce, says Mitzi Dulan, a Kansas City-based dietician and team sports nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals. Although frozen fruits retain some of their nutrients, buy fresh for the best taste and highest concentration of beneficial compounds.
Studies, which often use the concentrated juice of Montmorency cherries, have found tart cherries may relieve joint pain in people with osteoarthritis and lower the risk of flares in those with gout. In addition, Dulan notes, recent studies suggest tart cherries may improve the quality and duration of sleep.
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- Research Shows Apples Can Cut Cholesterol and Inflammation
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What Are The Types Of Arthritis
There are several types of arthritis. Common ones include:
- Ankylosing Spondylitis is arthritis that affects the spine. It often involves redness, heat, swelling, and pain in the spine or in the joint where the bottom of the spine joins the pelvic bone.
- Gout is caused by crystals that build up in the joints. It usually affects the big toe, but many other joints may be affected.
- Juvenile Arthritis is the term used to describe arthritis in children. Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints.
- Osteoarthritis usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows a joint injury. For example, you might have badly injured your knee when young and develop arthritis in your knee joint years later.
- Psoriatic Arthritis can occur in people who have psoriasis . It affects the skin, joints, and areas where tissues attach to bone.
- Reactive Arthritis is pain or swelling in a joint that is caused by an infection in your body. You may also have red, swollen eyes and a swollen urinary tract.
- Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the bodys own defense system doesnt work properly. It affects joints and bones , and may also affect internal organs and systems. You may feel sick or tired, and you may have a fever.
Arthritis is seen with other conditions. These include:
Cost Of Healthcare And Access
If you are moving to take better care of your health, it makes sense that you need to look for a state that has affordable, accessible healthcare. Talk to your current healthcare provider about what changes you can expect, and be ready to move to another plan if the cost increases.
Pro tip: One of the best places to live with arthritis, New Mexico, also has one of the most affordable healthcare systems in the country.
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The Link Between Weather And Joint Pain
It isnt entirely clear why weather affects people with arthritis, but the link between weather and arthritic pain has been extensively studied. People with arthritis may experience pain in places where temperature changes are more extreme and in damp climates. They also experience pain in response to climate factors like humidity, air pressure, and wind speed. Temperature and barometric pressure have also been noted as contributing factors to joint pain. Understanding how different weather patterns affect pain can help people with arthritis find the best climate for them.
Ra Vs Oa Epidemiology
The primary difference between RA and OA is the underlying nature of the disease. RA is an autoimmune disorder that produces inflammatory joint symptoms throughout the body. OA is a degenerative condition that is the result of increased wear and tear on joints. OA may produce inflammatory symptoms as well, but it primarily destroys joint cartilage over time.
OA affects an estimated 27 million Americans while only 1.3 million Americans have RA. Both RA and OA are more prevalent in women than in men. RA can develop in patients anytime between the ages of 30 and 60 years old. OA generally develops later in life.
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Best Beverages For Arthritis
Theres an old saying you are what you eat. But what you drink can have an enormous effect on your body and health too.
People dont put enough thought into what theyre drinking, says Sonya Angelone, a nutritionist in private practice in the San Francisco area and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. What you eat and drink is information to your body and if you are drinking well, it can definitely affect how you feel and the messages your body is getting.
Angelone recommends starting every day with a glass of water before you eat any food, since many people wake up a bit dehydrated. She says you want to stick primarily with water the rest of the day too. The typical recommendation is eight glasses a day.
In general, nutritionists advise you to avoid soda since its full of sugar, aspartame and phosphoric acid. The latter negatively affects your bodys ability to absorb calcium.
But what should you be drinking?
Tea
Tea is one of the most-studied drinks when it comes to its benefits for arthritis patients. Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects.
Coffee
Research shows coffee also has antioxidant polyphenols. That means coffee can help fight free radicals in the body, which cause cell damage. Other research suggests coffee may have a protective effect against gout as well.
Milk
Juices
Smoothies
Alcohol
Water
Salmon Tuna Sardines And Mackerel
These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which studies have found can decrease inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, eating a 3 to 4 ounce serving of these fish two or more times a week is recommended for protecting the heart and reducing inflammation.
While fresh fish can get pricey quickly, one tip to make it more affordable is by looking in the freezer section or buying canned sardines, salmon or tuna. Be sure to choose lower sodium options when purchasing canned items if you need to keep your sodium in check.
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Mayo Clinic Doctor Suggests Four Wellness Design
Are you one of the 54 million Americans who have some form of arthritis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 23% of all adults find themselves limited in their activities because of this condition, and more than one in four report severe joint pain. In 20 years, the number of arthritis-afflicted individuals is expected to skyrocket to 78 million or more than a quarter of all U.S.-based adults! Your home can help you avoid and reduce the pain of arthritis flare-ups. Heres how, with an arthritis expert from the Mayo Clinic.
Motion is lotion, declares Ashima Makol, MD, a rheumatologist with the world-renowned health center, but this is easier said than done for patients with many forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid, psoriatic and osteoarthritis. The pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased range of motion can be debilitating and contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, she notes. Lack of exercise can make joints even more painful and stiff, Makol cautions.
Making your home a relaxation oasis incorporating wellness techniques has really gained attention, the doctor shares. Here are four wellness design-focused home improvement ideas she suggests can help arthritis sufferers.
Yoga can enhance arthritis sufferers’ flexibility and wellness.
Designer: Ana Cummings, DDA, IDC, CAPS Photographer: Steve Dutchesen/Wellness by Design, Simon & Schuster/Tiller Press
Create a Tailored Home Fitness Space
Getty
Get Some Hydrotherapy
GettyGetty
Add a Sauna
Treatment Options For Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic conditions that will not go away on their own. Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many things that can be done to improve the overall quality of your life, reduce the severity of your symptoms, and slow the progression of the disease.
A variety of medications can be used to relieve your joint pain, reduce inflammation, and slow the damage to your joints, including NSAID pain relievers, corticosteroids, and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Unfortunately, many of these medications may cause undesirable side effects.
If your integrative pain doctor suspects you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you may be recommended to complete some diagnostic tests as well as provide a complete medical and family history. Your doctor may evaluate your symptoms including looking for swelling and joint tenderness.
Physical therapy may help to increase your range of motion and to help strengthen the muscles around your joints. In addition to this, your doctor may recommend using braces or splints to support the affected joints.
Surgery may be recommended if other treatment methods do not work. Some of the types of surgeries used for arthritis include joint fusion, joint repair, and joint replacement.
In addition to these medical treatments, you can reduce or relieve the symptoms of arthritis with a variety of lifestyle modifications and home remedies, including:
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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
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Does Bursitis Cause Arthritis And Vice Versa
Bursitis does not cause arthritis. The reverse isnt true either, though having arthritis does make getting bursitis more likely.
You commonly see them together. For instance, if a person develops arthritis in their shoulder, they might change the way they use their shoulder, which could lead to bursitis, says Dr. Huffstutter. Or people develop arthritis in their knee or hip, which changes their gait and irritates the bursa in that area.
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Which Is The Best Arthritis Cream For Back Pain
The active ingredient is menthol, which creates cooling sensations and temporary pain relief. It penetrates quickly to relieve pain on the back and all joints from the neck down to the ankle. The spray nozzle has continuous flow even when upside down to get those hard-to-reach aches. Three powerful pain fighters give this creamy oil a punch.
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What Temperature Is Best When Using Heat Therapy For Arthritis
When using moist heat therapy, make sure the temperature is not so hot that you burn your skin. Find a temperature that you can comfortably tolerate, whether using a bath, hot water bottle, or spa therapy.
You also need to give it time to work. Use the moist heat application for at least 15 minutes before exercise. Then use it again immediately following exercise. You can also use moist heat anytime you want additional relief from arthritis pain.
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Does Cold Therapy Help Arthritis Pain
Yes. Cold packs numb the sore area and reduce inflammation and swelling. Ice packs are especially good for joint pain caused by an arthritis flare. You might also try using a local spray such as fluoromethane on your back or painful area before and after exercise. This superficial cooling decreases muscle spasms and increases the threshold for pain. Or you can make instant cold packs from frozen bags of vegetables.
Some patients prefer cold therapy to moist heat for arthritis pain, while others tell of having the best relief when they alternate the sessions with moist heat and ice. You can experiment with moist heat and ice therapy and then select the method that gives the best relief with the least trouble or expense.
Your Joints And Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joints are places where bones meet. Bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons all work together so that you can bend, twist, stretch and move about.
The ends of your bones are covered in a thin layer of cartilage. It acts like a slippery cushion absorbing shock and helping your joint move smoothly.
The joint is wrapped inside a tough capsule filled with synovial fluid. This fluid lubricates and nourishes the cartilage and other structures in the joint.
When you have rheumatoid arthritis:
- your immune system attacks your joints, which causes:
- a build-up of synovial fluid
- inflammation of the tissues that line the joint
- pain, heat and swelling
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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!
Gout And Calcium Crystal Diseases
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause painful swelling in joints. It typically affects the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body.
Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may also look shiny and can peel.
Its caused by having too much urate, otherwise known as uric acid, in the body. We all have a certain amount of urate in our body.
However, being overweight or eating and drinking too much of certain types of food and alcoholic drinks can cause some people to have more urate in their bodies. The genes you inherit can make you more likely to develop gout.
If it reaches a high level, urate can form into crystals that remain in and around the joint. They can be there for a while without causing any problems and even without the person realising they are there.
A knock to a part of the body or having a fever can lead to the crystals falling into the soft part of the joint. This will cause pain and swelling.
There are drugs that can reduce the amount of urate in the body and prevent gout attacks. Examples are allopurinol and . If youre having a gout attack, youll also need short-term pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as paracetamol can be good drugs to try first.
Men can get gout from their mid-20s, and in women its more common after the menopause. Taking water tablets can increase the risk of gout.
There are also conditions that cause calcium crystals to form in and around joints.
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What Is The Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis
While theres no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are many strategies to help manage the condition and its symptoms so you can continue to lead a healthy and active life. Its helpful to understand the nature of your condition and build good relationships with your doctor, rheumatologist and healthcare professionals.