Arthritis care: Exercise, medications and proper diet

by David Reynolds Onlinerx Medicines

Arthritis is a Greek word that means inflammations of joints. According to US library of medicines arthritis is accompanied by pain, stiffness in body and swelling of joints. Osteoarthritis (osteoporosis) is the most common form of arthritis; this hits mostly the elderly people. It is not a single disease but a complex category of 100 medical conditions.

Arthritis can be caused by a no. of factors like:

Genetic makeup
Obesity
Ageing
Autoimmune diseases
Physically demanding jobs
Previous medical history like fractures etc.

Osteoporosis is the type of arthritis caused by progressive damage to cartilage in middle aged or older people. These all kinds of arthritis pains could be easily restrained following regular exercise regimen. Exercise is very important for the people with arthritis. Exercise helps to increase the strength, flexibility and reduces the pain of joints.

You should check with your doctor about the exercise programs. You can also contact the physiotherapists to make the exercise a regular part of your daily routine. There are a varied range of exercises including range-of-motion, strengthening and aerobic exercise.

The doctor may advice you to do the daily chore activities to keep the joints moving. Exercise will help you:

In maintaining a normal joint movement
In increasing the flexibility
In making the bone and cartilage strong
In increasing the stamina or endurance

According to NOF (National Osteoporosis Foundation), the best workouts or exercises for the patients are:

Walking which is a weight bearing exercise
Weight lifting and other muscle strengthening exercises

Although exercise can do great benefits to the person with osteoporosis and other arthritis problems yet it should be remembered that it is a part of a complete treatment program. Along with exercise medicines are also necessary part of this program. The most common medicine prescribed for osteoporosis and other forms of arthritis is Fosamax 70mg.

Fosamax prevents or reverses the progression of osteoporosis by slowing down the process of old bone being removed slowing by the removal of old cells and formation of new strong calcium laden bone cells. The use of this drug must be accompanied by a rich diet of Vitamin D and calcium along with limited use of alcohol and tobacco.