Osteoarthritis FAQs

What is osteoarthritis?

A. Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when joints are worn and damaged. The joints and surrounding tissue becomes inflamed and causes the sufferer pain, which increases as the disease worsens. Osteoarthritis should not be confused with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an auto-immune condition.

Q. I get pains in my legs sometimes – does that mean I’ve got arthritis?

A. Experiencing joint pain does not necessarily mean you have osteoarthritis. Pain that is fleeting or recedes over time (e.g. caused by injury) is very common and unrelated to osteoarthritis. Consistent, chronic pain that worsens over time, joints that feel hot, inability to move joints properly and joint stiffness and/or deformity are all symptoms of the disease, but if any pain persists without explanation you should see your GP.

Q. Can herbal remedies and vitamins help arthritis sufferers?

A. Anyone who suspects they have arthritis should be assessed by their GP before they self-prescribe with herbal remedies. For example, some herbs are known for their anti-inflammatory properties but if you are already taking traditional medicine to help relieve inflammation your GP should be informed. Ginger, Devils Claw and White Willow are effective anti-inflammatories and Curcumin and Boswelia act as a good pain relievers. Glucosamine Sulphate is a substance that is found naturally in cartilage and connective tissue. A regular supplement of Glucosamine may give you an advantage in fighting the disease or stopping its progression. Studies have concluded that long term use can help maintain the health of your joints and bones.

Q. Is there anything I can do to prevent arthritis?

A. The exact causes of arthritis are not completely understood by the medical community. There is a theory that genetic disposition to arthritis is significant, so if you have a close relative who suffers from the disease you should be watchful for the early symptoms, but generally it is age that makes us all more susceptible to this disease. Women have an in-built advantage in that the hormone oestrogen helps protect their bones, but after the menopause reductions in this hormone can have the opposite effect. The advice is to stay healthy through eating a balanced diet, keep your weight down because obese people put their joints under a great deal of strain, take regular low impact exercise and take a supplement of Glucosamine.

If you are already taking prescribed medicines for osteoarthritis or think you may have the early stages of the disease, talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedy. Baldwins helpline staff will be pleased to answer your questions. Contact them on 020 7703 5550.

If you need help on choosing your products or advice on creating your own recipes for any of these personal care products, Baldwins staff will be pleased to assist. Call the helpline on 020 7703 5550.

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