Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune joint disease. The most affected joints are the wrists, hands, feet, spine, knees and jaw, according to the US National Institutes of Health.
This type of arthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis can cause unusual tiredness, sporadic fevers, and loss of appetite. It can also cause other medical problems in the heart, lungs, blood, nerves, eyes, and skin.
More women than men have rheumatoid arthritis. It usually begins in middle age and is more common among older adults. The symptoms of this disease can be suffered for a short period and disappear, however, the severe form can last a lifetime.
Medline Plus, the US National Library of Medicine website, states that the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. But, genes, environment, and hormones can all play a role.
Regarding the treatment of this condition, it is possible to resort to medications prescribed by the doctor, surgery (in severe cases) and lifestyle changes. Regarding this last aspect, You can do exercises that reduce pain and inflammation.
Some of these were listed by the specialized portal Medical News Today:
1. Walk: It’s a low-impact exercise, but it improves aerobic conditioning, heart health, and joint health. In this case, the important thing is to wear the right shoes and always stay hydrated.
2. Pilates: it is also a low-impact activity. Stabilizes joints and strengthens muscles. You should start from scratch and gradually increase the intensity.
3. Bike: Exercising on a stationary bike can be a safe way to move your joints and improve cardiovascular fitness, he explains. Medical News Today.
4. Stretches: In addition to relieving the symptoms of this arthritis, it improves flexibility and reduces stiffness. It is recommended that the stretching routine be done in the morning and look for those that stretch the affected areas. It’s key to hold each stretch for around 20 seconds.
5. Fluid movements: tai chi and yoga are some of the recommended exercises of this type. Gentle poses, meditation, and breathing will reduce the stress and pain that arthritis can cause.
6. Aquatic exercises: In the water, the body weight is not felt much, so the joints are the first to benefit. Among these exercises are swimming, water aerobics, among others.
In addition to the exercises mentioned, the specialized portal Healthline mentions that certain herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve rheumatoid arthritis:
- Aloe Vera: also known as aloe vera, it is one of the most common ingredients in natural medicine. According to the aforementioned portal, one of its qualities is associated with the relief of joint pain.
- Eucalyptus: Extracts from the leaves of this tree are used in topical remedies to treat arthritis pain. Some people use them in hot compresses to maximize the effect.
- Green tea: Contains antioxidants that can help counteract the inflammation that occurs with arthritis. It can be consumed as a beverage, powdered to sprinkle on food, or added to smoothies or as a supplement.
- Turmeric: is a yellow powder made from a flowering plant. Its main ingredient, Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Healthline notes that it has long been important in traditional medicine and one of its uses has been applied to treat arthritis.