Rheumatoid Arthritis

A more serious form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, occurs when the immune system attacks rather than defends the body. Along with joint pain and swelling, rheumatoid arthritis can cause fatigue, poor circulation, anemia and eye problems. Here are some strategies to try in addition to medical treatment (with your doctor's approval).

A. Start a food diary to identify what you were eating when your symptoms flared up.

B. Start a low acid diet. My mother loves citrus but it made her body swells and she can't stand up after eating those kinds of fruits. These dietary changes help slow the build-up of acid in the body.

C. Try becoming vegetarian under your doctor's supervision. It will lessen the swell after a month of having this kind of diet. And then after 3 months you may take dairy products again. Try congee, put a boiled egg in it.

D. You make take GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) supplements. It can help to lessen the pain and inflammation. Consult a medical herbalist for GLA supplements. There is also over a counter GLA and usual dose is much lower.

E. Brief Fasting. It gives some of our system a little to to rest and will boost our immune system. Drink plenty of water. But check your doctor first.

Natural Pain Removers

a. To reduce pain and slow down cartilage loss, take in glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. Evidence suggests that they can be effective for people with mild to moderate arthritis. Follow the label directions. You will feel the benefits after a month.

b. Take 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger or up to 35g. ( about 6 teaspoon) of fresh ginger once a day The ginger root helps to relieve arthritis pain, because of its ability to increase blood circulation, and there by help remove inflammatory chemicals away from painful joint.

I  make  ginger tea. It is really best for my mother.

c. Seek heat relief and cold comfort-Apply heat to a painful joint can provide significant relief. Electric blankets and had warmers, heating pads or hot packs all work well. Warm the achy joint for 20 minutes.

• A hot bath with eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils help ease painful, stiff joints. Add 5 drops of each to hot water and soak in the tub for around 15 minutes.
• Cold treatment can work well when joints are inflamed.  But i do this alternately with hot towel and then cold. It made my mother sleep better.
• Eat fish that gives enough oil.salmon, sardines, mackerel and trout. You will discover that pain and stiffness are lessened. These substances seem to discourage inflammation in the body.
• My mother is taking in oil in a capsule form. Cod liver oil can slow and may ever reverse the destruction of cartilage that leads to osteoarthritis. She also takes in Grape seed oil capsule. Really a healer.

d. Rub on relief. Eucalyptus oil can be effective. Put a few drops on  the skin and rub it in.

e. Keep those joints moving. Gentle exercise will do. My mother  had started weight lifting program and it made her muscle strong which supported her joints. Thanks to Scott Sonnon, John Sifferman, Ryan and Adams. I really thought weight lifting will hurt my mom but then my mom after being bed ridden for 7 years and after the operation. Its been 2 years now after the operation. And then Scott Sonnon talk about weight lifting and simple instruction I followed his blog and watch in his link. And then i made my own that will apply for my mother with her doctor's consent. And voila now after all those years my mom can stand alone and walk but of course she is still using a cane. But she is much better now.

f. Ask the doctors to measure your legs. Usually the arthritis in these joints is slightly longer than the other. Your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist to have corrective shoes made for you.

g. Pain is also triggered by changes in weather. So when storms are forecast; try turning on a dehumidifier to dry the air.

h. Maintain a healthy weight. Just imagine the weight carried by our knees.  One of the elder I met, her knees is becoming bowed. It is because of over weight. So when I ask her to do some diet plan for weight reduction. It doesn't only lessen the pain. It made her movement and walking easy.

i. Buy a shoe that is good for walking.Softer heels will  lessen the impact of walking on your foot, ankle, knee,and hip joints.  Flat supportive shoes are generally considered best for knees.

j. Take in Vitamin C. To boost your immune system.

God bless you all.