Arthritis - Fish Oil Connection

For many people, it seems that arthritis is a condition of
ageing that one simply can not avoid. The aches and pains
of life simply catch up with the patient over the course of
their lifetimes, resulting in achy and stiffened joints.
But what many people do not realise is that arthritis is a
condition that can be controlled with various drugs and
supplements – leaving the patient to lead a healthy and
pain free life.

What is Arthritis?

Though some myths about arthritis seem to still pervade
common thought – i.e. cracking one's knuckles can lead to
arthritic joints – science has shown that there is more to
the story. Arthritis is a condition in which the joints
swell, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Some cases
of arthritis are linked with the amount of activity that is
done over the course of a lifetime, while other cases are
the result of trauma to the joint. Ageing is another
direct cause of arthritis. As the joints begin to weaken
from the years of use, the joints can become damaged,
leading to the inflammatory response.

The problem with arthritis is that it can lead to a much
lower quality of life for those affected. Instead of being
able to move around easily, these patients can have bad
days in which they area unable to move well, causing them
to stay indoors and away from activities they enjoy.
Arthritis can also lead patients to avoid certain
movements. And this lack of activity can actually make the
condition worsened.

There are many forms of arthritis that can affect the
patient:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Gout
Juvenile arthritis
Septic arthritis

It's important to note that some forms of arthritis can
affect juvenile patients as well as those not in their
later years. Rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis
can affect very young patients, but become a lifelong
battle of pain control and mobility problems.

How is Arthritis Usually Treated?

For most patients, arthritis is treated with pain
medications as well as medications that help to reduce the
amount of inflammation in the joints. By adding physical
therapy and other forms of activity as well, you can
increase the mobility of the joints without causing more
harm to them in the process.

In extreme cases of arthritis in which the joint is
severely damaged, the joint may need to be replaced
entirely. This is often seen in the case of damaged knees
and hips, whether the condition was hereditary to begin
with or simply a case of ageing.

For more aggressive and painful forms of arthritis, like
rheumatoid arthritis, patients may need to have IV
medications on a weekly basis to help control the
inflammation.

Are There Other Ways to Stop the Inflammation?

This is a question that may have asked in the beginning
stages of arthritis. To answer this query, scientists have
begun studying the body to see how the inflammatory cycle
works and how it can be disrupted. There has been some
success with anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone, but
these can have negative side effects that patients do not
enjoy. Prednisone especially can cause bloating and
excessive weight gain in the patient, which can be
uncomfortable as well as damaging to the patient's mental
status.

A team of researchers at Royal Adelaide Hospital found that
fish oil might be a good supplement for those suffering
from arthritis conditions. Though they were studying the
supplement for its effectiveness on cardiovascular
diseases, they noticed that not only were patients having
fewer arthritis flare ups, but that they were also being
protected from heart disease. In addition, they were not
experiencing the same side effects as their traditional
medications and were able to replace many of their
medications entirely.

As an added bonus, these researchers have also indicated
that fish oil might work well as a preventative measure
against arthritis.

How Can Patients Get Started?

While the benefits of fish oil for arthritis seem to be
clear, patients will still want to talk with their
physicians before adding this supplement regimen to their
life. Fish oil can not always replace other medications,
however, but it might be able to increase the effectiveness
of the current therapies.

Even if patients are not ready to go for completely
supplementation, they can try adding more foods with these
essential fatty acids in them. For example, eating more
fish and fortified foods can help to boost essential fatty
acid levels. You might also want to try other essential
fatty acids like those found in flaxseed and nuts and seeds.

Conclusion

While science is beginning to link the benefits of fish oil
for arthritis, some patients may still be wary of taking
these supplements. However, it is clear that adding a few
additional sources of essential fatty acids to the daily
diet is a good idea when you have inflammatory conditions.
As the benefits become clear to the patient, they can
always move onto higher levels of these fatty acids in the
supplement form.

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Dave McEvoy is an expert in omega 3 fish oil EPA with over
20 years experience; for more information about fish oil
and how it can help come and visit.
http://www.mind1st.co.uk/arthritis-fish-oil.asp