Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to the category of autoimmune diseases and it causes a chronic inflammation of the joints. It may even cause inflammation of the tissue in the area of the joint or even other organs. An autoimmune disease is a condition wherein your body's immune system, the natural defense against disease and infection, turns against your own body, attacking organs or tissue and ligaments. Because of the ability to afflict many organs the condition of rheumatoid arthritis is described as a systemic illness. It is described as chronic, which means that the disease can last for years. Patients may however not experience any symptoms for long periods. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a progressive condition that can gradually lead to joint destruction and even some extent of disability.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis that we know of and treatment therefore aims at relieving the symptoms and/or restricting or modifying the progression of the disease. Patients would most likely require lifelong medications because of the chronic and progressive nature of this disease. Such prolonged treatment can of course have a negative fallout, which is why patients suffering from chronic diseases, in most cases, prefer natural methods of treatment. Long term treatment with pharmaceutical drugs can also prove too expensive and may be unaffordable to many.
Non-pharmacological methods of treatment that are popular and in fact recommended by many health care practitioners would include physical therapy and occupational therapy. In addition lifestyle changes will also be necessary. Natural methods may not always work as an alternative treatment, but they are very effective as a supplement to conventional treatment. Your diet and physical therapy shall form the most important aspects of treatment:
Diet:
- Avoid consuming meats as far as possible, as well as other foods high in protein. A high carb diet would be more advisable.
- Milk and milk products should also be eliminated from the diet.
- Avoid using hydrogenated oils or polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, as well as products made with these ingredients.
- Try and consume freshly ground flaxseeds, walnuts, and cold water fish, as they are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids.
Exercise:
- Exercise here is not aimed solely at physical fitness. It should be directed towards maintaining the range of motion, enhancing strength and mobility, improving your over all health and feelings of well being.
- Light aerobic exercise, or swimming can be very beneficial.
- Yoga is possibly the best fitness discipline as it will not just focus on physical fitness. In the context of physical fitness too however it trumps other methods because of the emphasis on gradual gentle movements that focus on strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Lifestyle:
- It's important that you relax and do not get overcome with stress. Here again yoga comes in very handy. Other relaxation techniques and meditation can also be used.
- Try to follow a disciplined and organized routine.
answered by S D