Prevent Arthritis In The Hands: 5 Tips That Help

Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes pain and discomfort in the joints, especially in the hands. To prevent its development, some tips can be very effective.

Preventing arthritis in the hands is not an impossible mission. Early diagnostic studies may warn the person of the risk of this disease in advance. Once diagnosed, appropriate medical treatment will be applied as early as possible.

These preclinical signs give the opportunity to follow some practical and effective advice. Therefore, in this article we review what are the guidelines that we should follow to prevent arthritis in the hands.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the joints. Symptoms often include joint pain, stiffness, and deformity. Thus, this disease includes a great variety of pathologies and rheumatic affections. The most frequent are:

• Osteoarthritis : It involves a deterioration of the cartilage and overgrowth of the bone.
• Osteoarthritis : Degenerative disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis: Autoimmune diseases.

• Gout : By accumulation of uric acid.
• Septic arthritis: As a result of an infection.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Of unknown cause.

Arthritis in the hands

Arthritis in the hands can affect the joints between the 29 bones of the hands and wrists. Pain in this part of the body often prevents many routine activities.

The most common forms in this case are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some tips to help prevent osteoarthritis and also to bring some relief if we already suffer from it.

Tips to help prevent arthritis in the hands

1. Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory

Bromelain is an enzyme with proteolytic action that is extracted from the fruit or stem of pineapple. It stands out for its anti-inflammatory, circulatory and immunomoduratory properties.

For this reason, bromelain is effective in preventing and relieving rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows that it can help to significantly reduce inflammation. 

Therefore, we can take a bromelain supplement to prevent arthritis in the hands and also to relieve discomfort if we already suffer from it, such as pain and inflammation. In this way, we will avoid the risk of suffering the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. 

2. Garlic supplement

Garlic is an ancient medicinal food that is known, above all, for its cardiovascular virtues. However, its sulfur compounds have been shown to have very effective anti-inflammatory properties. 

To benefit from these compounds, we must consume garlic raw and chewed or crushed. For example, including it in vinaigrettes or vegetable juices such as gazpacho. However, we can also buy garlic oil capsules.

3. Heat application

When we suffer an acute inflammation, for example due to trauma, we can apply cold to relieve it and reduce the hematoma. However, when the inflammation is chronic, it is much more suitable for it to be heat. However, the person can try and see if the cold or the heat helps them more.

How can we apply heat to ourselves?

• Through a massage with a vegetable oil (olive, almond, sesame).
• With an electric mat.
• With a hot water bottle.
• Putting on thermal gloves.
• Soaking your hands in hot water for at least 10 minutes.

4. Exercises to prevent arthritis in the hands

Arthritis in the hands is characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness. In many cases, one of the influencing factors is the excessive use of the computer and the mouse. Therefore, we must prevent in time.

If we work all the time with the keyboard, we should get used to taking breaks every half hour. We can take the opportunity to move our hands, fingers and wrists, as well as massage ourselves a little. We can also do it in the morning and before going to bed.

5. Beware of fats and more fiber

The best way to prevent arthritis is with diet. And, in this sense, studies have shown the importance of increasing the consumption of the following foods:

• Raw or slightly cooked vegetables.
• Vegetables.
• Turmeric and ginger.
• Seasonal fruits.
• Probiotic yogurt.
• Vitamin D supplements, cod liver oil and multivitamins, but always under the supervision of a health professional.

With these tips we can help prevent arthritis in the hands if we suffer from a predisposition to this disease. Or if we are in an initial stage of it.