Home remedies as osteoarthritis treatment, Singapore.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints lead to symptoms that are a source of discomfort. In advanced cases of osteoarthritis, you may have trouble picking up things or using the joints normally. Here are some of the common symptoms of osteoarthritis for you to look out for so that you know when you should seek treatment for it.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms
- Pain in joints: Usually when you move the joints, especially to the end of their range of motion. The pain may even continue after the movement has stopped.
- Limited range of motion/reduced flexibility: This is due to the stiffness of the joints when the cartilage is worn thin. Without this soft tissue between the bones, movements are a lot less smooth than before. Stiffness is most noticeable after a period of inactivity or in the morning when you wake up.[1]
- Tenderness around joint: The inflammation of the tissue around the joint presses on nerves that cause it to be a lot more sensitive to touch, and is more likely to cause you pain.
- Crepitus (grating sensation) on movement: This is because the bones start rubbing each other when the cartilage between them is wearing out. You may feel or hear popping and cracking when you move the affected joint.
- Swelling: Caused by inflammation around the joint
- Bone spurs: These are small bits of bone that grow from and deform the joint.[1] They form around the affected joint as your body’s response to the damage of the cushioning cartilage in between the two bones at the joint.[2]
- Mild inflammation and warmth over the joint [1]: Cartilage fragments that break off due to wear and tear cause irritation to the synovium (smooth lining of the joint), triggering the inflammation.[3]
Advanced Osteoarthritis
- Joint Instability: When your joints feel like they are giving way and buckling. This is a feeling that 75% of individuals with osteoarthritis experience.[4]
- Joint Deformity: As osteoarthritis progresses, joints can begin to look crooked and misshapen [5]
HOME REMEDIES/TREATMENT
The goal of home remedies is to prevent further degeneration and worsening of the condition. These treatments are not supposed to completely cure you or replace professional medical treatment. Instead, they should help make your condition more bearable, reducing its impact on your quality of life. Hence, home remedies should be done in conjunction with osteoarthritis treatment Singapore.
- Hot/Cold compress: You can prepare your own compress by soaking a towel either in hot or cold water. Not only is there no risk of having any side effects when using hot or cold compresses, but they can also prove useful for patients with osteoarthritis. Hot compresses help lessen joint stiffness by stimulating and encouraging better blood flow, and cold compresses help to relieve joint pain and swelling. They may even reduce pain in the muscles surrounding the joint. [7] You may want to try both to see which one works better for you.
- Epsom salt bath: This is mainly to help relieve overall osteoarthritis pain. Epsom salt contains magnesium which can reduce inflammation. It is recommended that you prepare the bath with 2 cups of Epsom salt in the water of around 38°C, and soak in the bath for 30 minutes.[7]
- Support devices: Some examples include braces, canes, shoe inserts, kinesiology tape, crutches, walkers, grab bars etc. These should make it easier to continue everyday movement, and allow you to still carry out your day to day activities. [7] Additionally, they could reduce your chance of injury.
- Diet: Green tea contains polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have also shown that green tea can have cartilage-protecting effects, helping to slow down the progression of one’s osteoarthritis condition.
- Ginger can help to reduce pain from osteoarthritis, however, it should be taken moderately to avoid side effects like stomach upset and heartburn.[7] As with many foods, having too much will harm you, not help you.
Generally, avoid foods that cause inflammation, like alcohol, artificial sweetener, salt, saturated and trans fat, sugar, white bread, and rice.[7]
- Lifestyle changes: Exercising regularly can help to strengthen your muscles around the joints affected by osteoarthritis, which makes them more resistant to further damage. Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling [6]are recommended for patients living with osteoarthritis. High-impact activities that cause more wear and tear would be counterproductive to your goal of preventing deterioration.
Maintain a healthy weight. This ensures that you do not make your joints bear too much weight and be strained when doing simple activities.
SEEKING MEDICAL HELP/TREATMENT
The earlier you seek treatment for your osteoarthritis, the faster doctors can step in to prevent your condition from worsening. To find out more about the medical treatment options for osteoarthritis, take some time to check out this article [Osteoarthritis treatment Singapore: FAQs].
Should you like to receive osteoarthritis treatment Singapore The Orthopaedic & Pain Practice is happy to be of service. Feel free to book an appointment with us today! Details have been included below.
9898 3595 (Call & WhatsApp)
[email protected] (Email)
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