Using Aloe Vera for Arthritis
Although arthritis won't really kill you, it can literally cripple you. Arthritis causes so much restriction and curtails even simple activities such as bathing, walking or dressing. Arthritis can be rather debilitating because of extreme pain on the joints And worse, it's a chronic disease.
Arthritis affects many thousands of people every year and statistics show that one in every three adults over 40 suffer or will suffer from arthritis as they age. Arthritis has no specified age or gender parameter since arthritis can develop even in infants, but most sufferers begin to experience symptoms when they near their fifties, with more than 50% occurring before the age of 65. And arthritis is not just debilitating to the body – it can also devastate your finances. It is estimated that an average person will spend close to USD 150,000 in medical expenses and lost wages just coping with arthritis during his or her lifetime.
The two most common types of arthritis that afflict the greater percentage of the population are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is brought about by wear and tear of the body's weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and ankles. Arthritis also invades the shoulders and other highly mobile joints in the cervical and lumbar spinal regions. Ease of movement and lubrication within our joints are enabled by synovial fluid, which works much like grease on gears and joints in any dynamic structure. It is also responsible for overall health and maintenance of the cartilage. Synovial fluid inevitably shrinks with age and cartilage undergoes wear and tear with heavy use, eventually causing the bones to grind against each other. This grinding action is what causes arthritis pain and the difficulty in movements.
Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is caused by anti-bodies attacking the synovial lining of the joints. Although these anti-bodies are produced by our own immune system, genetics, certain infections or environmental factors can trigger immune system upsets and cause destruction of the synovial membrane and the cartilage. Inflammatory conditions such as swelling, stiffness and pain manifest as a result of this. Rheumatoid Arthritis may arise at any age, and this type of immunologically induced arthritis is also prevalent in other systemic illnesses such as Lupus and Scleroderma.
The symptoms of arthritis can come and go – when inflammation is present, the disease is active and that period is known as a “flare”. When the symptoms go away, it is said that the disease is “in remission”. Remission is usually brought about by treatment, although it can also happen spontaneously and may last for months or even years.
Arthritis has long been successfully treated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. Typically, these come in the form of cortisone injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or what is commonly known as NSAIDs. These types of treatment bring pain relief, unfortunately they don't repair the damaged tissues – hence relief is said to be merely symptomatic.
Undesirable side effects may also arise with constant use of NSAIDs and steroids. Osteoporosis and skin thinning are two of the most common side effects, and NSAIDs also tend to irritate the digestive tract and cause stomach ulcers.
While there is no known cure for arthritis, there is growing evidence that tissue repair and replacement can arrest disease progress. In fact, this has been the focus of controversial stem cell replacement studies over the years. Whether or not stem cell replacement will eventually emerge as the cure for arthritis, it might help to know that natural substances can work at relieving the discomforts of arthritis pain and possibly slow the progression of the disease – without the side effects.
Aloe Vera is one of the best known natural substances for its anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe generally provides analgesic relief but it has also been observed to stimulate the immune system and speed up cell growth and replacement. Aloe Vera contains basic sugars which are also found in every cell of the body – it is packed with nutrients that include vitamins E, C, and the B series, as well as iron, manganese, calcium and zinc. Essential amino and fatty acids are also found in Aloe Vera.
Possibly more than its nutritional benefits is the ability of Aloe Vera to help the body regenerate cells and repair damaged tissue. A breakthrough formulation combines aloe with glucosamine and chondroitin, two joint supplements that are building blocks of cartilage found within joints. Glucosamine increases fluid maintenance in the cartilage, while chondroitin, an ingredient of cartilage tissue, works to draw fluid and nutrients in. As we age, the body's capacity to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage is diminished, thus leading to wear and tear on the joints. Combined with Aloe Vera which aids in tissue repair and cell regeneration, natural relief for arthritis without the side effects may simply be found in a glass of naturally occurring substances!
Learn more about breakthrough aloe formulations that relieve arthritis symptoms and help to rebuild healthy cells in your joints at Forever Freedom.
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