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Joint stiffness is a common characteristic of arthritis. It is defined as
discomfort after a period of inactivity, decreased range of motion or a loss of
range of motion in a joint. With osteoarthritis, joint stiffness after waking
may last up to 30 minutes.
With inflammatory types of arthritis such as
rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, the stiffness typically
lasts more than 45 minutes. Joint pain may also be caused by bursitis. The
bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion and pad bony prominences, allowing
muscles and tendons to move freely over the bone.
Causes of Joint Stiffness
Joint stiffness is caused by inflammation in the synovium, the lining of the
joint and joint pain can be caused by many types of injuries or conditions. No
matter what causes it, joint pain and stiffness can be very bothersome.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness and pain
in the joints. Osteoarthritis involves growth of bone spurs and degeneration of
cartilage at a joint. It is very common in adults older than 45 and can cause
joint pain.
Other medical conditions can also cause joint stiffness, including bone
diseases, cancer, joint trauma, or overuse of the joint.
A list of common causes of Joint Pain/Stiffness
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
Bursitis
Chondromalacia patellae
Gout (especially found in the big toe)
Infectious diseases
Epstein-Barr viral syndrome
Hepatitis
Influenza
Lyme disease
Measles (rubeola)
Mumps
Parvovirus
Rheumatic fever
Rubella (German measles)
Varicella (chickenpox)
Injury
Osteoarthritis
Tendonitis
Unusual exertion or overuse, including strains or sprains
Treating Joint Stiffness
There are many options to treating joint pain hot and cold compresses, pain
medication, exercise and supplements are just a few.
Cold and heat treatment is highly beneficial in lessening the joint
stiffness and pain. Cold reduces the swelling and relaxes the excited nerves
whereas heat enhances the blood circulation. To relieve yourself from joint
stiffness it is advisable for you to use hot packs every morning. For best
results try to alternate cold and heat after every 5 minutes.
Pain medicine for arthritis generally falls into three categories: the
non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, often sold over the counter),
narcotic pain medications, and steroids.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS are drugs with
analgesic, antipyretic and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects -
they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. The most prominent members of
this group of drugs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen partly because
they are available over-the-counter in many areas. Paracetamol
(acetaminophen) has negligible anti-inflammatory activity, and is not an
NSAID.
Narcotic Pain Medications - There are a variety of strong pain
relievers, containing narcotic drugs, that your doctor may prescribe to
help relieve your arthritis pain.Including Tylenol with Codeine,
Morphine and OxyContin. Unlike ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, or other NSAID
drugs, narcotic pain relievers do not decrease the inflammation that
occurs with arthritis. Narcotic drugs work on pain receptors on nerve
cells to relieve pain.
Steroids - Corticosteroid medications are chemically similar to
natural steroids and duplicate their actions. When prescribed in doses
that exceed your body's usual levels, corticosteroids suppress
inflammation, which can reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammatory
conditions such as arthritis and asthma. Dozens of corticosteroid
medications are available today. The drugs are front-line treatments for
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, allergies and many other
conditions.
Exercise – Exercise can help you improve your health and fitness without
hurting your joints. Though you might think exercise will aggravate your
joint pain and stiffness, that's not the case. Lack of exercise can make
your joints even more painful and stiff. Along with your current treatment
program, exercise can:
Strengthen the muscles around your joints
Help you maintain bone strength
Give you more strength and energy to get through the day
Make it easier to get a good night's sleep
Help you control your weight
Make you feel better about yourself and improve your sense of
well-being
Many people are now turning to alternative medicine for arthritis in the
hopes of getting lasting relief from their symptoms without the risks
associated with pharmaceutical arthritis pain relief medication.
Alternative
medicine for arthritis can also take the form of using supplements to help
rebuild and strengthen the stiff or broken down cartilage that results from
the disease. Supplements such as MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin are well
known for their ability to help the body strengthen and repair joint
cartilage, and using the three combined will help your body replace, rebuild
and repair the damage already caused to get you back on your feet.
Exomine is
a natural supplement that works with the body to help reduce the pain and
stiffness associated with arthritis. It has been formulated with ingredients to
provide you with a natural means to combat arthritis without adverse side
effects. Exomine’s ingredient list has been shown to preserve and even enhance
cartilage integrity.
A few of the ingredients are:
Chondroitin Sulfate - A major structural component of the cartilage.
Chondroitin has been shown to increase the production of new, healthy
cartilage, block enzymes that break down cartilage, and normalize joint
fluids to reduce friction.
Glucosamine HCI - The clinical benefits of glucosamine in the treatment
of osteoarthritis are impressive. In one study, 252 patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee were given placebo or 1500mg of glucosamine every
day. The results showed glucosamine can reduce pain and inflammation from
osteoarthritis. The longer it was used, the more apparent the benefits were.
Methylsulfonyl Methane (MSM) - This natural form of dietary sulfur has
been used to reduce or eliminate arthritis pain.
Ginger - A study involving 56 osteoarthritis patients proved that ginger
was 75% effective for osteoarthritis and muscular discomfort.
Boron - An important mineral critical for maintaining healthy bones and
joints.
Vitamins B3 and C - These have been shown to reduce pain and aid with
range of motion, muscle strength, and endurance. Vitamin C may help to
reduce cartilage loss and prevent arthritis progression.
