Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative condition that occurs as a result of the fact that the cartilage of the joints wears down. Its causes are not known so far, but there are strong evidences that osteoarthritis is connected with the aging process. In time, the cartilages begin to contain more water than protein and they slowly damage, leaving the bones uncovered, inflamed and painful. Women over 55 years old seem to be more likely to develop this disease than men of the same age. Before 55, more males are affected. The joints that are primarily affected by osteoarthritis are those carrying high weights, like the knee and the hip. It also affects the hands, feet and spine.
The difference between osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis is that this one only affects the joints, leaving other body organs healthy. Pain and swelling of joints are the most common symptoms. They usually worsen in time and, during a single day, they are more severe in the second part of the day. Every patient perceives the pain in his or hers individual way and sufferers react differently to various treatment methods. Herbal remedies for osteoarthritis are popular because they offer relief from the pain and they reduce the stiffness and the swelling without messing up the entire body with their side effects.
Herbal supplements are very appreciated by people with osteoarthritis because they have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties that can compete with the most advanced drugs on the market. Ginger extract, produced from dried ginger root, diminishes pain and inflammation in the joints, but it needs to be used with caution by people who are on medication for blood thinning because it can interfere with it. ASU is another herbal supplement that works in case of osteoarthritis. It is produced from soybean oil and avocado and it doesn't have any side effects on the long run. It appears to slow down the evolution of the disease because it keeps the cartilage healthy.
Studies were also made on feverfew extract. They have proven that it has an anti-inflammatory action when compared with placebo. The extract is made from dried leaves of feverfew. Cat’s claw, a plant that grows in Amazonian forests also contains agents that fight inflammation. The bottom line is that herbal supplements can be very helpful in patients with osteoarthritis, but a medical opinion is necessary in order to prevent potential interactions with traditional medication.
Read effective Osteoarthritis Pain Relief Supplements. Read about effective Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis.
