Inflammation is known as the body’s attempt to protect itself by trying to remove foreign substances and start the healing process. Although inflammation helps heal wounds, too much inflammation, and inflammation lasting for long periods of time, can be harmful to your body-creating symptoms such as chronic pain.
Two Types Of Inflammation:
Acute Inflammation
Acute Inflammation begins fast and becomes severe very quickly. Signs and symptoms of acute pain are only there for a couple days, but in some cases may go on for several weeks. The flu, bronchitis, sore throat, and the common cold are all types of acute inflammation. The patient may feel pain, immobility, heat, and also experience redness and swelling.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation is also known as long-term inflammation, because it can last for several months and even several years. Chronic inflammation can occur from failure to get rid of the foreign substance, an autoimmune response to a self antigen, or from a chronic irritant of low intensity that persists. Hay fever, arthritis, and some cancers are linked to chronic inflammation and chronic pain.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation of one or multiple joints within your body—whether the result of a disease, infection, a genetic defect, or another cause. Arthritis may cause chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints surrounding tissues.
What Causes Arthritis?
There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis. Some common forms of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis – is the most common type of arthritis; it is a degenerative joint disease where pain and swelling stems from the progressive loss of cartilage in the joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – is the second most common type of arthritis characterized by inflammation, swelling, fatigue, and pain in the hands (especially the knuckles), wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and feet.
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis – can come in multiple forms and affects young children.
Arthritis Symptoms
Symptoms can vary depending on what time of arthritis you have. Common symptoms include:
- Chronic pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Decreased range of motion in the affected region (joints)
Naturopathic Approaches to Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis
At the clinic, we take a natural approach to treating arthritis which includes nutritional management, exercise, and lifestyle changes. We can help guide you through dietary supplement options as well as create a treatment plan that best works for you so you can start seeing results.
Call our office today to schedule an appointment.
