You only believe in rheumatism and true love when you are attacked by it” – the quote from the Austrian writer Marie Freifrau Ebner von Eschenbach (1830-1916) puts it charmingly in a nutshell: As long as we are fit, we hardly notice our joints. They enable everyday movements to be carried out smoothly and which we take for granted: climbing stairs, waving, squatting down or holding a pen. Only when something gets stuck do we become painfully aware of its importance. Then we know what joint problems feel like, which we had only heard about in conversations with older people. Whether shoulder, elbow, hand, hip or knee hurts – many terms immediately buzz around in our heads as possible diagnoses: Is it simply a sign of old age? Do I have arthritis or osteoarthritis (and what’s the difference)? Possibly stuckRheumatism or gout behind my complaints? In order to classify this, one essential difference is important: wear or inflammation? Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. The term, which comes from the Greek, is made up of “arthron” (joint) and the ending “-itis” (inflammation). There are three possible causes: firstly, an infection caused by pathogens after an operation or an open wound, secondly, an autoimmune reaction, as is the case with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism), and thirdly, gout triggers inflammation because too much uric acid is produced due to a metabolic disorder located in the body.
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Poison for the joints: overload
In contrast, arthrosis, by far the most common joint disease, is not an inflammatory process, but a degenerative, chronic process. In a gradual process, the cartilage, which absorbs impacts as an intermediate layer in the joints and prevents bones from rubbing against each other, can regenerate less and less and gradually degrades. The synovial fluid surrounding and nourishing the cartilage, another buffer layer, can also be affected. It starts as early as 30: At first it only pinches when jogging or climbing stairs, then in the morning it becomes increasingly difficult to get going smoothly. Hardly anyone thinks about joint wear at that age. But it starts at a young age, as X-rays show. In the stressed joint, movements no longer run smoothly, inflammation can also develop (activated arthrosis). If the cartilage layer is missing completely at some point, the bones painfully collide. All of this may necessitate a joint replacement. Obesity, incorrect posture and the associated overloading or injuries such as torn ligaments or fractures can trigger arthritic changes in the joint. Too much pressure or traction on the synovial fluid changes its consistency and, on top of that, it no longer receives enough nutrients. Sometimes genetic factors also favor this process. It hits the knee joint most often because it has to withstand such heavy loads. Osteoarthritis typically presents with morning stiffness or start-up pain after longer breaks in movement. Because the symptoms soon subside, many miss the opportunity to take protective measures for the joints in good time and thereby preserve the cartilage substance for as long as possible. Because once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back. Not even through operations. This is confirmed by a study recently published by the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin. “Injections and reflections are often ineffective in the long run. Their benefits are often overestimated, and the associated risks, such as inflammation or swelling, are ignored,” says the director of the center, Prof. Gerd Gigerenzer, summarizing the results. During a reflection, the joint is usually rinsed and, if necessary, the cartilage is smoothed. doesn’t come back. Not even through operations. This is confirmed by a study recently published by the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin. “Injections and reflections are often ineffective in the long run. Their benefits are often overestimated, and the associated risks, such as inflammation or swelling, are ignored,” says the director of the center, Prof. Gerd Gigerenzer, summarizing the results. During a reflection, the joint is usually rinsed and, if necessary, the cartilage is smoothed. doesn’t come back. Not even through operations. This is confirmed by a study recently published by the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin. “Injections and reflections are often ineffective in the long run. Their benefits are often overestimated, and the associated risks, such as inflammation or swelling, are ignored,” says the director of the center, Prof. Gerd Gigerenzer, summarizing the results. During a reflection, the joint is usually rinsed and, if necessary, the cartilage is smoothed. such as inflammation or swelling, are hidden,” says the director of the center, Prof. Gerd Gigerenzer, summarizing the results. During a reflection, the joint is usually rinsed and, if necessary, the cartilage is smoothed. such as inflammation or swelling, are hidden,” says the director of the center, Prof. Gerd Gigerenzer, summarizing the results. During a reflection, the joint is usually rinsed and, if necessary, the cartilage is smoothed.
Relieve pain, but how?
Other, less invasive measures are therefore necessary, e.g. B. Reduce excess weight. The best way to do this is through a balanced, low-calorie mixed diet. This is the most important advice doctors have to offer. The stress on the joints is reduced, and plenty of fresh vegetables provide the joints and the whole body with valuable vitamins and minerals. Almost as important: movement. It helps slow down wear and tear because it promotes synovial fluid circulation, which in turn nourishes the cartilage. In addition, metabolic products that may have collected in the joint are discharged. But before you even think about moving, you often have to relieve the inflammatory pain first. In the case of an acutely inflamed joint, the motto is: take it easy, elevate it, cool it. That helps, but hardly anyone affected can avoid painkillers. Classic painkillers, which at the same time have an anti-inflammatory effect, reliably relieve the symptoms. Disadvantage: They are not suitable for long-term treatment. Because these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include the active ingredients diclofenac or ibuprofen, must necessarily be taken in high doses – but prolonged use would result in serious side effects such as bleeding in the stomach and intestines or an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. However, when used for a short time, NSAIDs are a blessing for those affected, just like their pharmacological further development, the so-called COX2 inhibitors. In the case of rheumatism, cortisone is also available as a treatment option. A special case is the rheumatic disease gout. Here, uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints, they stiffen. This can be treated causally by a diet with little meat and fish (when they are metabolized, uric acid is produced) and uric acid-lowering medication.
Enzymes help heal
In the case of joint inflammation of any kind, however, substances that stimulate biochemical processes are also useful. dr Birgit Mellis, an orthopedist from Krefeld, knows the advantages of a combination therapy with enzyme preparations such as “Wobenzym plus” (available over the counter in pharmacies), which she uses as an alternative or in addition – depending on the severity of the pain. “By reducing inflammation and swelling, they relieve pain and improve the nutrition of the cartilage,” she explains. And adds: “For patients, this offers the great advantage that they can stop taking painkillers, which often have side effects, after a few days.” down to a normal level. The various ingredients improve the flow properties of the blood, reduce swelling and have an antioxidant effect. Ultimately, the articular cartilage receives more nutrients and oxygen. This is precisely what can slow down the progression of arthrosis. Nobody needs to be afraid of side effects. “Combined enzyme preparations are well suited for long-term therapy. In the case of recurring symptoms in particular, it is possible to take it for six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Mellis. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. reduce swelling and have an antioxidant effect. Ultimately, the articular cartilage receives more nutrients and oxygen. This is precisely what can slow down the progression of arthrosis. Nobody needs to be afraid of side effects. “Combined enzyme preparations are well suited for long-term therapy. In the case of recurring symptoms in particular, it is possible to take it for six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Mellis. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. reduce swelling and have an antioxidant effect. Ultimately, the articular cartilage receives more nutrients and oxygen. This is precisely what can slow down the progression of arthrosis. Nobody needs to be afraid of side effects. “Combined enzyme preparations are well suited for long-term therapy. In the case of recurring symptoms in particular, it is possible to take it for six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Mellis. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. This is precisely what can slow down the progression of arthrosis. Nobody needs to be afraid of side effects. “Combined enzyme preparations are well suited for long-term therapy. In the case of recurring symptoms in particular, it is possible to take it for six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Mellis. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. This is precisely what can slow down the progression of arthrosis. Nobody needs to be afraid of side effects. “Combined enzyme preparations are well suited for long-term therapy. In the case of recurring symptoms in particular, it is possible to take it for six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Mellis. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected. The less pain you have, the more flexible you remain and do not let the joints “rust”. And you now have something ahead of the clever Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach: Knowing that rheumatisms exist does not mean that you have been affected.
