There’s an old joke about a woman who glad to grow old. Instead of having to sleep with only her husband, she enjoyed two new lovers. Ben Gay and Arthur Itis.
There is nothing funny when you are the one suffering, though.
Arthritis is a painful condition. The joints get inflamed which results in stiffness and pain. Osteoarthritis, the more common form of arthritis, gets worse with age. The cause? Wear and tear on the joints over the years.
Codeine and Arthritis
The go-to medication for relieving arthritic pain has been codeine, a potent painkiller from the opioid family. Since codeine contains a derivative of opium, the medication can be addictive and create withdrawal symptoms if a patient uses for too long. If you are suffering from arthritic pain, your physician may try you on a course of pain alleviating, over-the-counter, medications. Due to extenuating circumstances, the doctor may suggest, as a matter of convenience, to buy dihydrocodeine
Safety
Before prescribing any regimen of codeine, your physician should check your medical history and only give opioids for short term relief instead of long term chronic pain like arthritis. However, each of the treatments may have adverse reactions and codeine even more so. Side effects can include dizziness and constipation, sleepiness, shallow breathing and heart problems.
Although physicians tend to treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medicines and painkillers. Natural treatments for pain relief are becoming more popular as many medicines cause unpleasant side effects.
Lose Weight
Weight can cause a big influence on the quantity of pain encountered from arthritis. Too much load places more stress on the joints — the knees, hips, and feet. Reducing the stress by lowing weight improves mobility while the pain decreases.
More Exercise
Weight loss is just one benefit of exercise. Regular movement helps maintain flexibility and weight-bearing exercises like running can be damaging. Instead, use low-impact exercise such as water aerobics.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapies may make a difference in arthritic pain. Long, warm showers help ease stiffness in the joints. Using an electric blanket at night will keep the joints loose. Cold treatments are ideal for relieving joint pain. Cover a gel ice pack with a cloth and apply it to the sore joint for relief.
Acupuncture
An Ancient Chinese therapy, acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific locations on your body. This will help re-route energies and restore balance. Acupuncture is believed to also reduce arthritis pain. Find a good acupuncturist, with references, if you want to pursue this therapy model.
Meditation
Meditation can help reduce arthritic pain by reducing stress. According to the National Institutes of Health, Research shows practicing mindfulness mediation is helpful for people with joint pain. Studies also found persons with depression and arthritis benefited the most from meditating.
Fatty Acid
Incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids in your menu and you may find the arthritic pain dissipates. Fish oil supplements, high in Omega-3s, help reduce joint stiffness and pain. Gamma-linolenic Acid is another fatty acid may help. GLA is found in the seeds of plants like primrose, hemp, and black currants. The oil from the seeds can also be bought as a supplement.
Turmeric
Turmeric, the yellow spice popular in Indian dishes, contains curcumin which can reduce arthritis pain. The secret lies in its anti-inflammatory properties. The NIH reports turmeric reduces inflammation in joints.
Massage
According to the Arthritis Foundation, massaging arthritic joints help reduce pain and stiffness as well as improving range of motion. Working with a physical therapist can assist you as you learn self-massage. As always, make sure your massage therapist is experienced in working with arthritic patients. Your physician should be able to give a recommendation.
Herbal Supplements
Many types of herbal supplements are on the market and many claim to be able to reduce joint pain. Some of those include boswellia, Bromelain, devil’s claw and ginkgo. To avoid dangerous drug interactions, be sure to speak with your physician before trying a new supplement
Remember to talk with your physician before trying these natural remedies
Takeaways
Arthritic pain can stop you in your tracks. With relief come risks. Consider the many alternatives to help relieve pain. Work close with your health care provider to find which therapies reduce pain with the fewest side effect.
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