While all joints are likely to be affected by osteoarthritis, the hips, knees and spine are the joints most at risk, due to the pressure they experience. This disease progresses in flare-ups accompanied by pain and stiffness, which alternate with periods of calm. Depending on its severity, it can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Find out which is the best anti-inflammatory to relieve your osteoarthritis.
1. Definition of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, which manifests itself by joint pain and joint stiffness, particularly when waking up. This disease progresses in outbreaks, interspersed with calmer periods, and results in the destruction of the cartilage which covers the bone end at the joint. And by the potential destruction, over time, of the underlying bone, specifies the Arthritis Society of Canada. According to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), 10 million French people are affected by osteoarthritis, including 65% among those over 65, and even 80% among those over 80. Among the risk factors for osteoarthritis highlighted, we note aging, trauma to the joints (carrying loads, repetitive movements, shocks, fractures), excess weight (it induces excess pressure on the joints), family history, but also certain metabolic disorders (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), joint pathologies (inflammatory rheumatism, gout, etc.) or even certain bone diseases such as osteonecrosis. To date, there is no treatment that cures osteoarthritis. On the other hand, there are anti-inflammatories that can relieve your osteoarthritis pain and help you live better on a daily basis with this pathology.
2. The best anti-inflammatories for osteoarthritis
In the case of osteoarthritis, the treating physician or rheumatologist may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It can be applied topically in the form of a gel or ointment to the painful joint, or come in the form of tablets to be taken orally.
- A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug over the counter in pharmacies: there are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available without a prescription in pharmacies, which can relieve inflammation of the joint. This is the case with Ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen), aspirin, etc. They may be sufficient for mild pain. However, as the Osteoarthritis Clinic points out, anti-inflammatories are not without side effects on the gastric mucosa and the kidneys, which prevents their long-term prescription. NSAIDs should in fact be avoided if you suffer from a gastric or duodenal ulcer, heart, kidney or liver failure, or if you are subject to coagulation disorders. You are also advised not to take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug if you are 6 months or more pregnant.
- A steroidal anti-inflammatory drug issued by prescription: if the osteoarthritic attack is more severe, more powerful anti-inflammatories, issued only on prescription by your doctor, are then necessary. These include corticosteroids and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They reduce inflammation of the joint and, therefore, osteoarthritic pain, but should be used for a short period of time.
- Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, more powerful than Ibuprofen and more effective. However, be careful of adverse effects and precautions for use.
3. Natural anti-inflammatories to relieve osteoarthritis
Natural anti-inflammatories aim to soothe osteoarthritic pain and restore some flexibility and mobility to the joint. Due to the significant side effects and the limitations of the use of drugs in the anti-inflammatories family, it may be interesting to turn to natural anti-inflammatories, which are sometimes better tolerated by the body. Among the natural anti-inflammatories useful for fighting osteoarthritis, we find plants and spices, such as ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, peppermint, eucalyptus or rosemary. But also foods rich in omega-3, in other words good fatty acids such as fatty fish (salmon, sardines, herring, etc.), green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard) or nuts. You can use these natural anti-inflammatories by integrating them into your diet, or in the form of an infusion, or even externally in the form of essential oil (essential oil of peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender). One of the most powerful and therefore one of the best natural anti-inflammatories is turmeric. It is a spice with both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, thanks to its richness in curcumin.
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Read also :
⋙ Osteoarthritis of the knee: how to relieve it?
⋙ Osteoarthritis: solutions to prevent its appearance
⋙ Osteoarthritis: are infiltrations effective?