{"id":1049,"date":"2014-11-29T21:00:14","date_gmt":"2014-11-30T02:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=1049"},"modified":"2023-09-13T14:19:25","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T18:19:25","slug":"the-8-biggest-arthritis-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/the-8-biggest-arthritis-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Biggest Arthritis Myths"},"content":{"rendered":"
Myths in healthcare take shape (and indeed take on a life of their own) when a sound bite or piece of information is spread and made public as fact before the person or companies releasing that information have the necessary context in which to consider the so-called facts. Without a context in which to understand something, any piece of content (information) is meaningless.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to diseases and conditions like arthritis, the pain and symptoms can wreak havoc on a life. If left unchecked, the quality of life of the one suffering arthritis can be destroyed, as well as the life of those close to them. As a person suffering from arthritis, you\u00a0know how difficult it can be to maintain your quality\u00a0of life, your daily routines, your cheery disposition and\u00a0positive outlook regarding your disease and your life.<\/span><\/p>\n For those myths you believe, be open to understanding\u00a0the myths and then believing the facts.\u00a0It is my sincere hope that by understanding these basic\u00a0yet simple facts you will find a more positive view of your\u00a0arthritic condition and, as a result, be more inclined to\u00a0follow the therapeutic solutions found in later chapters.\u00a0After all, a firm belief based in fact goes a long way\u00a0toward beginning and maintaining a wellness program,\u00a0especially when one is facing daily pain and physical and\u00a0emotional debilitation. Let\u2019s look at the 8 biggest arthritis\u00a0myths now as detailed in the ground-breaking natural relief book, Arthritis Reversed<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n MYTH #1:\u00a0Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA)\u00a0are the Same<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps the most pervasive myth of all is the notion that\u00a0<\/span>there is only one type of arthritis and it just happens to\u00a0<\/span>have different symptoms for different people. While it\u00a0<\/span>is easy to see how people might think that, it is not the\u00a0<\/span>case. In fact, there are over 100 different types of arthritis;\u00a0<\/span>the three most common being osteoarthritis (OA),\u00a0<\/span>rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile arthritis (JA).<\/span><\/p>\n While rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis are diseases\u2013<\/span>autoimmune diseases, to be precise \u2013 osteoarthritis (OA)\u00a0<\/span>is not a disease at all. It is a symptom of joint degeneration.\u00a0<\/span>Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid and juvenile\u00a0<\/span>arthritis (and type I diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis,\u00a0<\/span>etc.), are progressive and associated with a systemic\u00a0<\/span>autoimmune disorder. That means the body makes\u00a0<\/span>antibodies that attack its own tissues and joints when\u00a0<\/span>triggered by some unknown event. Such triggers are\u00a0<\/span>known to include a reaction to a virus, the flu shot and\u00a0<\/span>stress. In the case of RA and JA, the joints are affected\u00a0from the internal imbalance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, osteoarthritis is the result of any\u00a0combination of several external factors, including\u00a0traumatic physical injury and excessive sports or physical\u00a0activities over the course of decades. This causes wear and\u00a0tear of the joints, as well as of the cartilage separating the\u00a0joints and the surrounding tissues (tendon and muscle).\u00a0Therefore, \u201carthritis\u201d can be correctly thought of as a\u00a0<\/span>disorder of the joints with two main causes: (1) incorrect\u00a0<\/span>autoimmune response and (2) wear and tear on the\u00a0<\/span>joints. So while the symptoms may be similar, RA and JA\u00a0<\/span>are diseases while OA is a symptom of a structural joint \u00a0<\/span>problem brought on by external stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n Just having basic clarity on this first myth alone should\u00a0<\/span>provide you with some anxiety relief. After all, most\u00a0<\/span>people with arthritis have osteoarthritis (only one\u00a0<\/span>percent have RA). Simply knowing that it is not a disease\u00a0<\/span>and that its symptoms are quite manageable with natural,\u00a0<\/span>non-invasive approaches should provide you with\u00a0<\/span>enough hope for change that you find almost immediate\u00a0<\/span>improvement in your daily outlook.<\/span><\/p>\n MYTH #2:\u00a0<\/span>Arthritis Is a Normal Part of Aging and Only Affects\u00a0<\/span>the Elderly<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Observing numerous elderly individuals with symptoms of arthritic conditions, such as misshapen hands and the use of walkers or wheelchairs, can lead one to believe that arthritis is an inevitable part of aging. However, with the advanced care and support provided by a senior indpendent living facility<\/span><\/a>, this no longer has to be the norm.<\/p>\n To begin correcting this myth it is important to know\u00a0<\/span>that rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis are autoimmune\u00a0<\/span>diseases and, therefore, have nothing to do with aging.\u00a0<\/span>Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a result of joint wear\u00a0<\/span>and tear based in injury and\/or overuse, which can come\u00a0<\/span>on at any time \u2013 or not at all. As such, OA also is not a\u00a0<\/span>\u201cnormal\u201d part of the aging process.<\/span><\/p>\n By keeping the immune system strong and stable, eating\u00a0<\/span>right, exercising right and taking care of bone and joint\u00a0<\/span>health, the onset and debilitating effects of arthritis\u00a0<\/span>need not be part of your aging process. And with better\u00a0<\/span>diagnosis and natural treatment remedies and therapies\u00a0<\/span>available, when you find you have the condition you can\u00a0<\/span>stop it and reduce or even reverse its symptoms, so they\u00a0<\/span>will not progress into your senior years.<\/span><\/p>\n MYTH #3:\u00a0<\/span>If You Don\u2019t Look \u201cSick,\u201d You Don\u2019t Have\u00a0<\/span>Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If one is only looking to the outward signs and symptoms\u00a0<\/span>of RA to know if they have it, they will be amiss. Even\u00a0<\/span>when people do not have the visible outward signs of\u00a0<\/span>rheumatoid arthritis, such as red swollen joints and\u00a0<\/span>misshapen fingers, they can still suffer symptoms, like\u00a0<\/span>joint pain, fatigue and a general sense of feeling unwell.\u00a0<\/span>Again, RA is an autoimmune disease and can be active\u00a0<\/span>before visible signs of it manifest.<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to know if you have, or are at risk for, RA\u00a0<\/span>is speak to your primary care physician, look into family\u00a0<\/span>history and do some blood work. Knowing your risks\u00a0<\/span>ahead of time, or early enough in the continuum of the\u00a0<\/span>disease, will help you get a jump on the symptoms and\u00a0<\/span>immune regulation needed to live a better quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n MYTH #4:\u00a0<\/span>If You Have Arthritis, You Should not Exercise\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This is a myth most believed by those suffering the\u00a0symptoms of arthritic pain and inflammation. Decades\u00a0ago patients were told not to exercise because it would\u00a0rub the joints and make things worse. This is incorrect.\u00a0While it is true that depending on your arthritis type and\u00a0conditions certain exercises should be avoided, this is not\u00a0a blanket statement about all forms of exercise.\u00a0The fact is, a certain amount of exercise can greatly help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Most often, those with\u00a0arthritis in the hips and hands feel pain in the joints and\u00a0inflammation and\/or contraction in the muscles and\u00a0tissues around those joints. However, part of what is\u00a0contributing to the pain and stiffness is the limited range\u00a0of motion within the joint structure that has happened as\u00a0a result of not exercising.<\/span><\/p>\n The first step is to begin exercising slowly, lightly and with\u00a0limits so as not to worsen or aggravate the conditions.\u00a0Moving each joint slowly at first helps lubricate the joints\u00a0and stretch the muscles. Strengthening exercises can help\u00a0stabilize the arthritis joint structures. This in turn helps\u00a0bring fresh blood, and thus oxygen and nutrients, to the\u00a0area, which decreases inflammation, stiffness and pain.\u00a0Exercise can increase in rigorousness and time as you are\u00a0able.\u00a0The myth that one must rest and not exercise with arthritis\u00a0no longer holds water. In fact, the National Institutes\u00a0of Health (NIH) advocates exercises to help keep your\u00a0muscles strong and your joints flexible and to reduce\u00a0the symptoms of depression, which can be common\u00a0among people with a long-term illness like rheumatoid\u00a0arthritis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, if you’re elderly loved one is living in senior independent living residences<\/span><\/a> or an assisted living facility<\/a> like The Chelsea at Fair Lawn independent living<\/span><\/a> or Pioneer Place Memory Haven<\/a>, make sure that they value exercise. If you’d like to find more about a senior independent living facility<\/a> and senior independent living plans<\/span><\/a> that support physical activities, visit www.thechelseawarren.com\/residences\/<\/a><\/span> or www.thechelseabrookhaven.com\/residences\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n