Archive for category Arthritis
Arthritis in Horses – Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
Arthritis is a very inconvenient illness not only in humans but horses as well. The pain it brings can limit movements and affect the general behavior of the animal. If you think your horse is suffering from this disease, the cause of it can be attributed to a previous injury – recent or otherwise. Heredity can also play a factor in your horse having arthritis. Whatever the causes, there are some simple but effective ways to ease the pain it brings as well as prevent it altogether.
Before anything else, however, it is essential that you understand how arthritis works. The limbs in a horse’s body – like in humans – are connected by joints, which are protected by cartilage. These joints allow movement, and this is done with ease as long as there is enough liquid and cartilage in the joints to provide lubrication and protection every time the limbs move. When there’s not enough joint liquid and cartilage covering the joints, what happens is direct contact between the two bones when you move, which means a lot of friction which results in pain. The most common area arthritis sufferers complain about is the knee – the body part that bears the most weight and movement. This is true with horses as well.
To make sure you give your horse the best chance of getting early treatment for arthritis, you need to be observant and catch early signs of the disease. Your horse isn’t really going to come up to you and inform you that its knees are really painful, so taking note of its behavior and movements is a key. Read the rest of this entry »
Herbal Remedies for Arthritis
Just because you cannot entirely avoid arthritis, does not mean there aren’t simple ways to overcome the inevitable discomforts the condition causes. Daily joint supplements are suggested for people with anxiety about getting arthritis or for those that are trying to subdue the pain and stiffness they may already feel. Many people turn to herbal remedies as a way to treat their arthritis. Herbal remedies are a non-intrusive way to successfully manage your joint pains.
First off, there are two kinds of arthritis: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both classifications can be treated with an herbal remedy. The main difference between the two is the inflammation. While OA has minimal to no visible inflammation at the joints, RA is distinguished by its inflammation. Osteoarthritis is different because it is a slow deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. People with OA suffer from burn spurs and cannot move easily and it is the most common diagnosis. People should be especially conscious of this condition as they reach the later of their 60′s but it can come at any phase in life. RA, or rheumatoid arthritis, has been known to reach adults in their 20′s to 40′s and can cause a really tender, enflamed joint. Women especially are known to suffer from RA. It is more serious than OA because the body is attacking its own tissues. It can affect your feet, knees, hands, wrists, hips, tendons, and muscles -causing a terrible amount of discomfort. Read the rest of this entry »