Arthritis is an old-person disease? Yes and no.
Our memories of grandparents might include snapshots of gnarled hands like ancient trees and shoes deformed by bunioned feet. Yet, arthritis affects the joints and lives of people of all ages and cultures.
Arthritis symptoms are caused by the inflammation of the joints. This brings tenderness, pain, redness, heat and swelling in and around the joints. Various types of arthritis affect various joints in the body – from the hands and toes to the joints inside the shoulders and spine.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and is caused by wear and tear of the cartilage. More common in older people.
Gout occurs as flares, typically in the big toe or a lower limb.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder and occurs when the immune system confuses healthy cells for foreign cells. This destroys the lining of the membrane surrounding the joints, inflammation occurs and wears away the cartilage and bone in the joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine and juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that affects children.
Psoriatic arthritis affects the skin, joints and areas where tissues attach to bone. People with psoriasis are particularly bothered by this type of arthritis.
Infection can also cause ‘reactive arthritis’ but symptoms often disappear within a few weeks or months.
Causes of arthritis can include autoimmune diseases and viral infections, a family history of arthritis or sports that cause a repetitive strain on certain joints.
Age increases the risk of arthritis, women can be more affected and weight, smoking and lack of exercise also lead to arthritis.
Many healers believe there are spiritual and emotional causes for dis-ease. In the case of both OA and RA metaphysical teacher Louise Hay believes the origin comes from feelings of being unloved, underlying criticism and resentment. Feeling trapped, resentful and angry and unable to compromise, creates physical inflexibility.
Arthritis can not be detected by a blood test, but an MRI, X-ray or ultrasound may indicate bone fractures and cartilage breakdown around the joints, ligament or tendon injuries near your joints and tissue inflammation.
Treatment for arthritis focus on managing arthritis symptoms. Medication can include anti-inflammatories and biologics which target the immune system’s inflammatory response.
Natural supplements such as AltWELL Arth-X with powerful anti-inflammatories focus on enhancing mobility and flexibility, reducing pain, stiffness and swelling and stimulating collagen production.
Look for arthritis supplements which include natural anti-inflammatories such as curcumin and Boswelia serrata extract.
Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha is an anti-arthritic agent, effective for both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis while co-enzyme Q10 is effective against gout.
Supplementing the diet with collagen supports the rebuilding of cartilage.
Changes in lifestyle which include anti-inflammatory supplements, a healthier diet and reducing alcohol (gout) can bring relief. But it is also suggested that releasing the emotional causes and increasing flexibility of the ‘self’ – releasing stubbornness and self-anger – may gradually restore physical mobility.
Medical disclaimer
While every effort is taken to ensure information about arthritis and Altwell Arth-XTM is correct, the content on this website is proposed as general information and should not be construed as medical advice.
Altwell and its subsidiaries will not be held accountable for loss, damage or injury that may arise from the use of this site.
Consult your pharmacist, doctor or another healthcare provider before introducing new supplements.