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.
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:
- Joint pain is arthritis
- Only older people get arthritis
- It's best to wait and see if the joint pain goes away
- Strenuous exertion aggravates arthritis
- Arthritis is incurable
- Applying an ice pack to your joint worsens arthritis
- Nightshade vegetables cause arthritis
- Your knuckle-cracking habit is going to give you arthritis
- It’s just a bit of ‘wear and tear’.
- Exercise and movement will make your arthritis worse
- Losing weight won't make a difference in arthritis pain
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.
Also, check our Ayurvedic joint pain relief cream.
Only older people get arthritis
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.
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.
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.
Ayurvedic medicines and supplements infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and dry ginger help to relieve symptoms. Also, several Ayurvedic pain relief 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.
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.
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.
Your knuckle-cracking habit is going to give you arthritis.
You may have heard that arthritis develops from knuckle cracking. However, the pleasurable sound is the result of gas bubbles in the fluid around your joints escaping.
Although knuckle-cracking too much may weaken your grip or produce swelling in your joints, there is no proof that it causes arthritis.
It’s just a bit of ‘wear and tear’
The idea that all cases of arthritis are just "wear and tear" is among the most harmful ones. For instance, by the time we are 70 years old, half of us will have osteoarthritis, the most prevalent kind of arthritis. However, it is not a necessary aspect of ageing.
Your joints don't wear out and must be changed like car tyres. Osteoarthritis develops when our bodies can no longer efficiently repair and maintain the complex living tissue that makes them up.
Because our joints develop stronger with use, osteoarthritis can be controlled by maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy weight.
Exercise and movement will make your arthritis worse
It might be difficult for those with arthritis to continue with regular exercise and physical activity. However, stiffness and soreness are among the symptoms that might worsen with immobility.
You can improve this by including exercise in your everyday schedule. Utilising your joints strengthens your muscles and increases blood flow, both of which can reduce your symptoms and prolong the life of your joints.
It's crucial to remember that every person with arthritis is affected differently, so experiment with different activities to find what works best for you.
Exercises like swimming and cycling are excellent because they move the body without straining any sore joints.
Losing weight won't make a difference in arthritis pain
You may be surprised at how much weight gain might exacerbate arthritic symptoms. Excess weight strains your knees, hips, and lower back, among other weight-bearing joints.
Studies indicate that a minor decrease in weight can result in a discernible alleviation of joint discomfort. Hence, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can greatly reduce pain and discomfort.
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.
FAQs
1. What is the most common joint disease?
OA is the most prevalent type of joint disease. It results from ageing and joint wear and strain.
2. Can arthritis be cured permanently by Ayurveda?
Even though Ayurveda doesn't promise to treat osteoarthritis completely, it can greatly lessen discomfort and inflammation while increasing joint mobility.
3. What is the Indian herb that cures arthritis?
Turmeric has long been used in conventional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It might be beneficial for RA, OA, and other arthritic ailments. One way to get turmeric is as a powdered spice to add to food.
4. What are the 5 worst foods for arthritis?
Some of the worst foods that can worsen arthritis are: alcohol, sugary drinks, salty food, Refined carbohydrates, etc.
5. Is garlic good for arthritis?
A detailed study revealed that women with reduced incidences of osteoarthritis had diets high in allium foods, such as garlic. Studies on rheumatoid arthritis patients have demonstrated its ability to reduce inflammation, discomfort, and exhaustion.
