Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis and related diseases, but rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are the two most common people struggle with. Both cause pain and joint damage, but they are different diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is an autoimmune disease where your immune system sees your joints as invaders that must be attacked. RA affects joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, wrists, or knees. Over time, RA can affect other body parts and systems, from your eyes to your heart, lungs, skin, blood vessels, and more.
Symptoms of RA
RA usually attacks the small joints in your hands and feet and tends to cause morning stiffness that can last an hour or more.
Other symptoms include:
- Low-grade fevers
- Low appetite
- Fatigue
- Lumps referred to as rheumatoid nodules that grow under your skin
Risk Factors of RA
You may be more likely to get RA if you have a family member who has it or if you struggle with excess weight. Evidence also suggests that being a woman, smoking, and being around dangerous chemicals like asbestos or silica may increase your risk.
Osteoarthritis
OA is different than RA because it is NOT an autoimmune disease. A person gets OA when the cartilage between their joints begins to break down, resulting in the bones on either side of the cartilage to change and start to ache. This breakdown is usually the result of daily wear and tear.
Symptoms of OA
OA will affect only a few joints on one side of the body. Although OA can damage any joint, the disease most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Symptoms include:
- Swollen joints
- Pain and stiffness
- Cracking and grinding noises when moving the joint
- A joint that does not function properly
Risk Factors of OA
Like RA, OA is more likely to occur in people who struggle with excess weight or have a family history of the disease. Other things that raise your risk of OA are old age, overuse of joints, joint injuries, or deformed joints like legs of different lengths or knocked knees.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, but at Dande-Lion Herb Shop, we believe there are natural remedies to help relieve some of your arthritis pain. We sell a wide range of herbal arthritis remedies that can make your pain more manageable and improve your quality of life!
Since everyone responds to natural remedies differently, we will help you find the best option for your specific situation based on what type of arthritis you have and which area of your body is affected.
Contact us at (410)768-8144 today to discuss the natural remedies available for arthritis.
