One promising approach entails rubbing painful joints with a cream containing capsaicin, a derivative of chilies. Capsaicin produces a stinging or burning feeling, but it appears to reduce inflammation.
Studies show a marked improvement in osteoarthritis when patients take glucosamine sulfate, a natural body compound vital in building and maintaining cartilage, in dosages of 500 mg […]
Obesity greatly increases the risk and severity of osteoarthritis. Even a little extra weight strains the knees and hips. Losing weight and increasing exercise often improve symptoms.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have the opposite problem; they may be too thin due to a lack of appetite, chronic pain, or depression. A doctor may recommend calorie- […]
Some evidence indicates that a small percentage of people with arthritis have food allergies that exacerbate joint symptoms. Common offenders include shellfish, soy, wheat, corn, alcohol, coffee, and possibly certain food addi- - tives. Researchers have found that, for these people, removing the allergy-causing foods from the diet has resulted in less pain. If you […]
About one in seven North Americans suffers from some type of arthritis, any of more than 100 disorders characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and pain. The most common types are osteoarthritis, a painful condition in which joint cartilage gradually breaks down, and rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic disease that can cause severe pain and crippling.
Doctors […]