Arthritis

Arthritis stays around us, yet its effect on people, their families, employers and the world at large is far beyond the imagination. Globally, Arthritis is a form of joint disease and is the leading cause of disabilities among Older Adults. Newborn and children are not left out. In fact, annually, over 300,000 newborn and children in the world have it. In 2019, the number of people expected to have arthritis is estimated to be around 78 million. There are two types of Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which can affect more than the joints. In fact, for some, this condition can result in the damage of other parts of the body system, including the eyes, skin, lungs, and blood vessels.Symptoms They include:

Warm, tender, swollen joints
The stiffness of the joints- generally worse early in the morning or after a long time of idleness
Fever, fatigue, and appetite loss

Risk factorsFactors that may increase the chances of rheumatoid arthritis include age, sex, smoking, and family history.OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis that affects millions of people from all over the world. This form of arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage at the edges of the bone wears out. SymptomsSymptoms of Osteoarthritis typically develop slowly and become worse over time. They include:

Pain
Stiffness
Tenderness

Lifestyle changes to tackle ArthritisEat a healthy diet that contains antioxidants to prevent inflammationMaintain an exercise regimen to keep the joints flexibleAlso make sure you’re not overweight as that tends to put more pressure on the knee jointsFollow good sleeping habits so you get adequate, good quality rest.Meditation can help one calm down and also visualise healing.Going beyond in the holistic approachTraditional western methods are widely used for treating Arthritis, Louise Hay, Motivational leader and empowerment coach who has done pathbreaking work in supporting HIV/AIDS patients and their families, has said that, “Illness however mild or severe is an indicator of your emotional state, caused by your thoughts and focus.”According to Louise Hay, the main cause of Arthritis is: Criticism, feeling unloved, bitterness, and resentment. One of the ways of healing this is through saying or writing affirmations. Her affirmation for healing Arthritis is: I am love. I choose to love and approve of myself. I see others with love. Show less