If you're under pressure, it throbles or tweaks: as early as 30, many women have the problem. B. when climbing stairs. But you can do a lot against cartilage wear
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- Knee problems: definition, causes and symptoms
- Knee problems: the treatment
- Knee problems: prevention and self-help
Knee problems: definition, causes and symptoms
Pain in the joints is often a warning sign of incipient arthritis (loss of cartilage). Especially knee problems are common.
At each step, the knees spring about three times the body weight. Therefore, from the age of 30 begins a gradual wear, knee problems occur: The elastic cartilage, which protects the bones as a shock absorber and plain bearing, decreases. If cartilage in the knee are massively damaged, the doctors speak of a gonarthrosis (Greek "gony" = knee).
Knee problems: the treatment
Knee problems with acute pain
If the knee is swollen or overheated, cold helps.
For example, with quark wrap: Stir quark from the refrigerator with a little olive oil and apply finely round the knee. Put on a woolen cloth or a thick cotton cloth and leave on for 20 minutes. If necessary, several times a day. The cool Quark pulls heat and inflammatory substances from the tissue, swelling and knee problems subsided.
A cabbage roll is also very good for knee problems: Walk white cabbage leaves with a rolling pin until the juice comes out. Lay several leaves around the knee, wrap the cotton cloth over it, fix it with a bandage and let it work for at least two hours. Mustard oil glycosides from the cabbage inhibit inflammation, swelling and pain.
In the pharmacy, there are special cooling cuffs for knee problems that can be worn outside the home.
Knee problems with chronic pain
If the knee is not swollen and not hot, heat usually helps better, especially with frequent pains.
Good are envelopes with hot water, even a hot water bottle acts deep in the tissue. For knee problems, an electric blanket is practical at night. Support offer anti-inflammatory, analgesic iridoid glycosides from devil's claw (extracts, for example, as tablets, pharmacy). Coconut oil acids and silica from nettles can also help with knee problems. Tea (3 cups a day): brew 1-2 teaspoons of leaves (pharmacy) with 150 ml of water, let it rest for 10 minutes, strain it. Attention : For drinking nettle tea drink plenty of water (2-3 l daily), because dehydrated nettle. The articular cartilage basically needs a lot of fluid.
Important : If the knee problems do not disappear after two to three days, go to the orthopedist. He may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets for knee problems, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Cox-2 inhibitors. As a short-term therapy for knee problems, for example, cortisone injections are possible. Acupuncture can also help with knee problems. Needle therapy has proven to be effective in studies and is paid for by the health insurance for at least six months of osteoarthritis pain.
Knee problems: prevention and self-help
1. Endurance sport has a preventative effect :
Lots of exercise protects the cartilage and helps in the long run against knee problems. Because when the knees are regularly loaded and unloaded, the cartilage can squeeze out metabolism waste and absorb nutrients from the synovial fluid. Ideal are even movements with little joint load, especially cycling (choose a small gear and avoid inclines). Swimming also protects the joints, prevents knee problems; also Aqua Fitness.
2. Strengthen muscles :
Strong muscles stabilize the knees, especially the large front thigh muscle (quadriceps). He holds the kneecap and supports the tendons within the joint. This is also the reason why more women than men have knee problems: their muscles are weaker. Therefore: Exercise the leg muscles daily.
3. Relieve :
Malpositions, for example due to heels that are too high, burden the cartilage. Dehalb go barefoot more often. Wear shoes with flat heels and soft soles outside the home, so the feet can roll well.
4. Long sitting with legs bent is stress for the knees :
The cartilage hardly absorbs nutrients. Therefore, get up more often and take a few steps. If you have knee problems, raise your legs as often as possible.
5. Deacidify :
Too much sweet, meat, coffee and alcohol can make the body "sour": acids are deposited in the cartilage, it is irritated, can inflame painfully. Naturalists recommend foods with many so-called bases that neutralize acids: especially five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, for the main meal potatoes. So the joints get enough nutrients, which are very important for the cartilage metabolism.
6. Vitamin E (in germ oils) and selenium (flaxseed, nuts) capture free radicals :
Free radicals can cause and increase inflammation. For the cartilage structure zinc (in whole grain, legumes) is necessary.
In joint pain, cell debris and harmful protein always play a role. Natural enzymes (for example from pineapple and papaya, "Wobenzym", over-the-counter, pharmacy) can help. They make the blood thinner, strengthen the immune system, so activate the self-healing and blood circulation. Swellings fade faster, the joint becomes more mobile.
