Joints are vital bodily components that allow limbs to move. Joint pain might hamper a person's ability to participate in daily activities if they suffer from joint discomfort, also known as arthralgia. However, there are several joint health myths that this article will attempt to break.
If you have arthritis, you will suffer from acute pain, joint inflammation and redness. However, it is not a single disease but an umbrella term for various disorders. It is one of the most common health problems in the world. There are about 100 different forms of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most prevalent. It is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage present in the joints wears off.
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There are additional inflammatory types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. Sometimes an overactive immune system attacks the connective tissues, causing such diseases. More than 500 million people worldwide suffer from joint problems, yet multiple misconceptions exist about joint health.
Some of the common joint health myths
Most people will say joint pains are because of arthritis, and they could not be more wrong. Let's look at the major misconceptions about joint pains:
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Joint pain is arthritis
Many people believe that all joint pain is arthritis, and it is not at all correct. Not every joint discomfort is arthritis, and not every joint discomfort indicates the onset of arthritis. Other disorders that often cause joint pain are traumas, soft-tissue injuries, tendonitis, and bursitis, which are frequent formations surrounding joints that can cause discomfort and mimic joint pain and swelling.
Osteoarthritis is the most popular type of arthritis but is most prevalent in people over 50. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis also attacks the same areas as tendonitis and bursitis, so it's best to visit a doctor regarding your joint pain. The correct diagnosis is very crucial for treatment.
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Only older people get arthritis
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It is true that arthritis is more common among the elderly and cannot impact the younger generation more often. But to declare that no child can have arthritis is wrong information about joint health. Although arthritis is more frequent among the older generation, it may also afflict children and young adults.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, inflammatory arthritis, also known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), is very common among children. JIA can occur at any age, between infancy and puberty. Almost 3.8% of children suffer from JIA worldwide at present. The doctors who treat JIA are called pediatric rheumatologists.
Moreover, according to recent studies, 30.3% of individuals aged 45-64 and around 7.3% of people aged 18-44 suffer from diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among adults aged 20-40.
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It's best to wait and see if the joint pain goes away
A major misconception about joint health is to wait out your joint pain instead of visiting the doctor. Diagnosis and treatment of arthritis in its early stages can save your joints and essential organs. Certain types of arthritis, like Rheumatoid arthritis, can harm your skin, lungs, blood vessels, heart, eyes, and brain. Therefore, if you suspect joint discomfort due to arthritis, you must immediately see a doctor learn the exact type of arthritis you are suffering from and initiate the correct treatment procedure. This can prevent irresistible damage to your organs.
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Strenuous exertion aggravates arthritis
If anyone tells you that exercise causes arthritis to worsen, then that is nothing but simply joint health misinformation. In reality, regular, moderate exercise can benefit your arthritis. Though, the arthritic joints may require a brief period of rest followed by a gradual return to action. It is critical to maintaining joint strength and range of motion. Even if you have arthritis, all the joint experts recommend that you move your joints.
However, you must also be aware of your limitations and not push yourself too much. You need to begin exercising for 20 minutes at a time. If your present program causes you pain, you must immediately inform your doctor, who might recommend milder exercises.
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Arthritis is incurable
Even though there is no cure for arthritis, plenty of therapy emphasizes discomfort relief and joint function improvement. There are several medicines out there that can help relieve pain. Physical activity and a controlled diet also help to manage arthritis.
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Ayurvedic medicines and supplements infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and dry ginger help to relieve symptoms. Also, several Ayurvedic oils, like lemongrass and eucalyptus oil, work efficiently to reduce pain and stop joint swelling. Thus, if you are looking for natural ways to relieve arthritis, Ayurveda is an excellent choice. The fact that arthritis is incurable is nothing but a joint health myth.
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Applying an ice pack to your joint worsens arthritis
Many believe applying heat to your joints is the only way to help with the pain because ice worsens it, but that is just wrong information about joint health. Ice and heat equally help to relieve pain. You can apply ice at night to reduce inflammation and heat in the morning to reduce stiffness and help the joint muscles move.
You can apply ice packs to your joints for about 20 minutes every day and use a heating pad or heat a washcloth for 15 seconds and apply to relieve discomfort. You can also take a hot shower to ease your joint stiffness.
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Nightshade vegetables cause arthritis
One of the most common joint health myths is that nightshade vegetables cause arthritis. Many believe that nightshade food containing eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper, etc., can aggravate arthritic symptoms. However, the truth is that there is no evidence of these vegetables worsening arthritis symptoms. The experts, however, recommend you increase your anti-inflammatory food intake, like fatty fish enriched with omega-3 and vegetables and fruits with high antioxidants.
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Conclusion
There is plenty of joint health misinformation you will encounter if you suffer from joint pain. You must not fall for these myths and immediately see a doctor. If you want natural remedies, you can switch to Ayurveda. ZanduCare is a renowned Ayurveda store where you can find several balms, creams, and tablets that will help to relieve joint pain.
