Arthritis

Arthritis assumes various forms, the most frequent being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is the main feature of arthritis, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form of damage or injury.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which usually occurs in the older age-group. It results from structural changes in the articular cartilage in the joints, usually those which are weight-bearing such as the spine and knees.

The chief symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints. The pain usually increases after exercise. Other symptoms include watery eyes, dry neck, leg cramps, allergies, arteriosclerosis, impairment in the functioning of the gal-bladder and liver disturbances. The possible causes include malnutrition, continuous physical stress, obesity, glandular insufficiency, calcium deficiency and a shortage of hydrochloric acid.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease which affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees and feet but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. The disease is due to an inflammatory process of the symposium or lining of the joints accompanied by swelling and eventual deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is often called the "cooked food disease."  It usually develops gradually over several months with persistent pain and stiffness in one or more joints leading to the whole body being affected. 

Symptoms include anemia, colitis, constipation, gal-bladder disturbances, low blood pressure, deformed hands and feet. The condition may be caused by hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress, infection, severe fright, shock and injury.

Hereditary factors may also be responsible for the onset of this disease.

Treatment