You have probably heard of arthritis before, but did you know that the first accounts of the disease go back to4500 BC? Joint pain has pervaded societies old and new, and there is still so much to learn about it. Although there are over 100 types of arthritis, we will cover the main ones in this article, along with the possible treatments. Are prescription medicines the only source of relief for arthritis, or do natural remedies like cannabis extracts also offer some solace? Without further ado, let’s find out!
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella term that describes several conditions characterized by intersectingsymptoms. These include swelling in the joints, stiffness, redness, restricted range of motion, and the most significant one - pain. In most people, the manifestation of arthritis iscaused by genetics, biological sex, former injuries, and weight gain - all of which seem to get worse with age. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the types of arthritis that are most prominent in patients.
The Different Types of Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects the entire joint - the cartilage, the bone, and the surrounding fluid. It can take years to show up, but when it does, wear and tear destroy the protective covering around the joint. Eventually, the tissues connecting joints to the muscles deteriorate, and the bones begin to rub against each other. Anyone can imagine the kind of pain that brings with it.
- Gout
Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the joints. When we consume certain food and drinks, our body breaks down these compounds to form uric acid, which is thrown out of the body via the kidneys. When there is excess uric acid for your kidneys to handle, it can get deposited in the joints as crystals. One of the uric acid's favorite places to land is the big toe!
- Psoriatic Arthritis
This type of arthritis affects the skin and the joints and is prevalent in around 30% of people with psoriasis. (Talk about double trouble!) Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune cells attack the skin and joints. Besides the joint symptoms, people with this kind of arthritis experience scaling skin, spots, and detaching fingernails and toenails.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
The immune cells in someone affected by rheumatoid arthritis can get confused and attack parts of the body they should not - like the lining of the joint capsule. When this tissue enveloping the joint gets damaged, it becomes inflamed. As it worsens, the cartilage and bone get affected, and you can end up pain-stricken.
- Fibromyalgia
In this type of arthritis, the symptom that most people complain of is severe pain. An anomaly in the central nervous system causes pain signals to heighten, and things that should not typically cause pain can feel unbearable. Additional symptoms like sleep disruptions, fatigue, mood swings, and trouble concentrating can accentuate the pain.
Treatments For Arthritis
As you can imagine, it is crucial to catch the symptoms of arthritis sooner rather than later. Once a diagnosis is achieved, most conditions have similar treatments .Doctors generally prescribe medication like NSAIDs, corticosteroids, injections that lubricate the joints, and in extreme cases -surgery. One of the most effective ways to manage the symptoms of stiffened joints is to naturally increase your flexibility with exercise. For this reason, doctors also recommend physical therapy, hot and cold therapy, splinting, and topical rubs to bring external relief.
Usually, a combination of drugs and therapy is the most practical way of handling arthritis.
Most drugs do have side effects, so it is up to each individual (and their doctor) to decide the best approach for their body. Perhaps this is where alternative forms of medicine, like cannabis extracts, could have some footing.
Emerging Treatments For Arthritis
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a unique compound found in Cannabis sativa that may have some incredible healing properties for arthritis. The cannabis plant has been used for hundreds of years to relieve stress and pain. And as science has uncovered - CBD is the superstar responsible. CBD, which is abundant in hemp oils, is non-intoxicating and safe to use in appropriate dosages. (Find out what dosage is suited to you with a free consultation from India Hemp Organics!)
How can hemp oil be used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis? Well, the CBD in full-spectrum hemp oils is known to reduce inflammation and ease the pain. This study in the European Journal of Pain shows us that even a topical application of CBD helps arthritis! (Which means you can easily apply it to your skin for relief). As we discussed, in a lot of cases people with arthritis struggle with fatigue, sleep disorders, and mood swings. (How can you not be moody when you are in pain all the time?!) That is where CBD can support you too.CBD reduces stress and helps you drift off into Dreamland!
Read more about the benefits of CBD for arthritis in our previous blog!
Conclusion
No one should have to live with pain or struggle to move, should they? The current treatments are definitely beneficial, but if we can take it one step further to improve the quality of life, shouldn't we? For this reason,India Hemp Organics has created an Arthritis Relief hemp oil that reduces stiffness and pain. It is important to note that it is a must to consult with a doctor before trying any new treatments. Some arthritis medication must not be mixed with cannabis oils, so be sure to cover all your bases.
With that said, we hope you find support in your journey to beating arthritis. And we also hope that if you try the Arthritis Relief oil, it helps you feel more like yourself every single day - since that is precisely what it was designed to do. Stay healthy, everyone!
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12061-arthritis
