Menopause and Joint Pain
Joint pain affects many people as
they get older and is also common among menopausal women. Aches, stiffness and
swelling around the joint and sometimes heat are typical symptoms of menopausal
joint pain. These may be worse in the morning, improving as the day continues.
Joints which experience high impact
such as the hips and knees tend to be most affected by this so called
’menopausal arthritis.’ Hands and fingers can also be affected. High impact
exercise such as jogging can exacerbate the problem, although this is often
eased with rest.
The hormone oestrogen has an
important role in maintaining joint and bone health. It is not certain how it
does this, but it is thought that it works by minimising swelling around the
joint. As you reach the
menopause, levels of oestrogen in your body begin to drop. This
gives rise to common menopause symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats,
and may also result in swollen and painful joints.
Dehydration can also cause joint
pain because of a build up of uric acid which can cause inflammation in your
joints. Oestrogen is also important for regulating fluid levels in your body,
and with falling levels of the hormone, you find that your body is unable to
retain water efficiently.
It is important to reduce the
pressure of repetitive
strain, such as jogging on hard roads, to protect your joints. At
the same time though, keeping them flexible will reduce joint pain. Some
exercises such as yoga and swimming are beneficial for strengthening your
muscles and joints without exerting too much pressure on them.
Diet can
have a positive influence on your joint health. Many fruit and vegetables have
properties which reduce inflammation. Having a balanced diet is not only
healthy and will help you with many
menopause symptoms, but will keep your weight
level correct. Being overweight will add extra stress onto your
joints, increasing your problem.
Calcium is
particularly important as it keeps your bones strong and healthy. As you are
going through the menopause you may find a calcium supplement beneficial.
However, for calcium to be absorbed into your bloodstream effectively, it is
important to also have a high intake of magnesium,
achieved by including nuts, wholegrains and dried fruit into your diet.
Alternatively, taking a calcium and
magnesium supplement would provide some of the same benefits. Some women find
that taking magnesium on its own is very effective, as it helps to relax tense
muscles.
Stress, surprisingly, can have a
negative effect on your joint health. If you are experiencing a lot of stress,
your body will release high quantities of the hormone cortisol. This hormone
works as an inflammatory agent, and so high levels of stress during
the menopause will only make your joint pain worse. It is
important if you tend to experience stress to take time to
relax every day.
Alternative treatments such as
massage or acupuncture help many women with their joint pain symptoms. They
directly target the area of pain in order to ease the symptom.
Some women might experience ‘rheumatic’ type pains coming
from the inside of a joint. This is where Devil’s Claw can help – it has a
similar effect to that of steroids, although without the steroidal compounds,
so without the associated side effects. The herb is gentle to the body and may
take up to 4 weeks to work its way into the body.
Relieves muscle & joint pain,
backache and lumbago. Also available in 60 tablet size. More info
Conventional medicines for joint
pain include painkillers and anti-inflammatories. However, they are not usually
recommended for joint pain associated with the menopause as the pain is a
symptom rather than the cause itself. To treat menopausal joint pain, your
doctor may consider
the use of HRT.
If your pain is severe, and home and
herbal remedies are ineffective, then there may be another underlying cause. In
this case, or if you are worried about your condition, it is important to talk
to your doctor as he will be able to prescribe a treatment to help you.
Who doesn’t love a success story and
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exactly what happened when Margaret (56) asked my advice on joint pain during
menopause.
Find out what it was from my advice
that Margaret found most helpful...Try it and
see how it works for you.
https:www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/devils-claw-atrosan/
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