3 Menopause Related Joint Conditions: How Best to Treat Them

 

3 Menopause Related Joint Conditions: How Best to Treat Them

Very often falling estrogen affects the stability and the hydration of the joints.
Over time this will trigger joint pain most typically a grinding pain, that is especially noticeable first thing in the morning.
You might also feel that your joints are stiff and become easily inflamed.

Joints affected

• Fingers
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Neck and shoulders
• Hips
• Knees
• Toes

Only a single joint might be affected, or it can feel as if your entire body feels is on fire.
Source:
prolianceorthopedicassociates.com –  menopause and joint pain link

Other factors contributing to joint pain

Age
As you start to creep into middle age, wear and tear can cause problems for the joints.

Stress
Ongoing stress creates acidic chemicals, and these can irritate the joints.

Poor diet
A prolonged poor diet can turn the body into an acidic state, irritating and damaging the joints.

Dehydration
Estrogen affects the hydration of the body.
If your joints start to dehydrate it will cause the tendons and ligaments to stiffen up.

Posture
Having a sedentary job where you are sitting at your desk all day, can end up causing bad posture contributing to shoulder and neck pain.

Weight
During menopause weight gain is common, adding more pressure on the hip, knee and ankle joints.

Lack of exercise
Going through menopause can leave you feeling more tired and fatigued.
A busy daily schedule leaves little time for exercise which is beneficial for keeping joints lubricated.

Sources
arthritis.org – how stress affects arthritis
orthopedicassociates.org – dehydration and joint pain
clevelandclinic.org – foods to relieve joint pain

The most important mineral for the joints is magnesium

Calcium is also important, but if you are low in magnesium, calcium often finds it difficult to get to the bones.
One of the main problems with menopause and falling estrogen is that magnesium levels tend to fall at the same time.

The reasons for lower magnesium levels can be due to:

• Poor magnesium absorption
• Not getting enough from food intake
• Unhealthy stress levels

Taking a magnesium supplement to help support joint health, can be very beneficial.
Normally 250mg of magnesium to 500mg of calcium will be sufficient if you include calcium and magnesium-rich foods in your diet.
Magnesium can give you loose bowels, so it is a good idea if you have not taken magnesium before, to start on a lower dosage.

The importance of omega-3 oils

Omega-3 oils or fish oils are great for lubricating the joints.
If you suffer from creaky joints and tend to feel stiff getting out of bed in the morning, then a fish oil or omega-3 supplement can help.
The ideal dosage would be about 1500mg per day.
For vegetarians and vegans, a flaxseed oil supplement can be a good substitute.

Other beneficial supplements to ease joint pain

Glucosamine sulfate
If you are just beginning to get slightly achy joints or if you want to protect your joints through menopause, then taking glucosamine sulfate, might be a good idea.
It takes a little while to work, usually about three months.
If however you already suffer from sore joints then this remedy will not be greatly beneficial.
This is more of a preventative measure.

Devils claw
This is another supplement that can really help with inflamed and sore joints.
This herb can either be taken as a tablet or a tincture.
A tincture works much quicker and will be absorbed a lot better.
The benefits start within a week and can be taken for as long as one wishes.

Arnica oil
This can be very beneficial for sporadic pain that only comes on every now and again.
Arnica oil has traditionally been used through the ages to treat joint aches and muscle pains and tends to work quickly.
It can be used on any achy part that has flared up overnight or has suddenly appeared.

Nettle
It can be taken as a quick treatment or it can be taken on a daily basis as a preventative.
It is great for gout-related joints or inflammation and sharp pains in the joints.
Grinding aches in the joints are very often caused by a build-up of uric acid and nettle is wonderful for clearing the joints.

Menopause support
Taking a menopause support which can help to keep your estrogen levels nice and balanced.

Sources
webmd.com – arthritis guide
medicalnewstoday.com – stinging nettle
webmd.com – arnica uses / devils claw / glucosamine

 

Will joint pain continue post-menopause?

It depends on the individual. For some women, joint pain is only a phase, part of going through menopause, and will disappear at some point.
For other women, if the deterioration is allowed to happen, the joints can deteriorate to the point where they are too damaged.
Looking after your joints now is going to pay dividends as you go through menopause and into post-menopause.

2.Why Women Get More Arthritis Than Men

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation or breakdown of one or more of your joints, causing pain and stiffness.
Joints are supported by soft tissues that prevent your bones from rubbing against each other.

Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that plays a key role in helping your joints move smoothly without friction or pain.
Some joints also have a synovial membrane that lubricates the joints. Joints, such as your knees are supported by tendons connecting muscles to bones and ligaments which connect bones to other bones.

Most commonly affected joints:

• Feet
• Hands
• Hips
• Knees
• Lower back

Causes of arthritis

The exact cause is unknown, but several things are thought to increase the risk of developing the condition.

• If you are over 50
• If you are female
• Have nutritional deficiency, such as omega-3 fatty acids, or vitamin C and E
• Previous joint injury due to accidents or orthopedic operations
• Obesity can make the condition worse in the knees, hips and spine
• Abnormal joint or limb development
• Inherited factors
• Occupations that involve repeated stress on a particular joint
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Lyme disease
• Diabetes

Symptoms of arthritis

Depending on the type of arthritis, symptoms felt may be mild to severe and they might come and go or remain constant.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Warmth

Source
my.clevelandclinic.org – arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the end of bones in the joints, gradually degenerates or wears away and usually worsens over time.
Cartilage which is an important structural component of the body is a resilient and smooth elastic tissue that permits nearly frictionless joint motion.
The loss of cartilage cushion associated with osteoarthritis causes friction between the bones.
The bones of the joints rub more easily against one another with less of the cartilage absorbing the impact.

Menopause and osteoarthritis

Estrogen may increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis (OA).
OA is most commonly experienced by postmenopausal women, which has led researchers to explore the possible relationship between OA and menopause.
Research has found evidence to support a connection between estrogen and joint health.
However, the researchers were unable to determine the exact role estrogen plays in OA.

Source
ncbi.nlm.nlm.gov – epidemiology of OA
ncbi.nlm.nlm.gov – osteoarthritis associated with estrogen deficiency

Most commonly affected joints

• Ends of the fingers
• Knee
• Hips
• Lower back
• Neck
• Base of the thumb

OA can disrupt the quality of life, affecting both work and normal daily activities.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

• Pain that increases with prolonged activity but gets a bit better with rest
• Stiffness
• Tenderness and swelling
• Bone spurs that form around your joints
• Cracking sensation when the joint is in use
• Decreased range of motion

Treatment of osteoarthritis

No cure exists for osteoarthritis, but treatment options may help to effectively manage symptoms.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation, such as Voltaren.
In some situations, a cortisone injection may also help reduce the pain.
Sometimes surgery, such as arthroscopy or joint replacement, is recommended but is usually only reserved for severe cases.

Lifestyle changes

You can manage the symptoms of OA by adopting the following lifestyle changes:

• Low-impact exercises such as swimming, yoga, and biking
• Losing weight
• Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids
• Taking vitamins C, E or D
• Eating calcium-rich foods or taking a supplement
• Avoiding repetitive tasks that overwork your joints
• If you smoke, quit smoking
• Using heat and cold pack
• Undergoing physical therapy
• Using anti-inflammatory medications
• Braces or using assisting devices

Sources:
cdc.gov – osteoarthritis basics
mayoclinic.org – osteoarthritis symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune disorder is the second most common type of arthritis and involves the body attacking itself by mistake.
The immune system attacks joint and organ tissues, most commonly the wrists, hands, knees, ankles, and feet, and typically occurs at the same joint on both sides of the body.
It can also affect other organs such as:

• The eyes
• Skin
• Heart
• Lungs
• Kidneys
• Nervous system
• Digestive tract

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

• Pain in the joints, back, or muscles
• Joint stiffness, swelling, tenderness or weakness
• Fatigue, anemia or malaise of the body
• Redness of lumps of the skin
• Swelling of bump on the finger
• Dry mouth
• Sensation of pins and needles
• Physical deformity

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Unfortunately, up until now, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
However, physiotherapy and medication can help slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sources
mayoclinic.org – rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
cdc.gov – rheumatoid arthritis    

How Menopause Can Affect Your Muscles

Muscle problems such as aches and pains, cramps, and stiffness can often occur during menopause as your estrogen levels fluctuate and fall.
Other common issues during menopause affecting your muscles include low magnesium, low iron, excessive sweating, weight gain, poor sleep, and anxiety.

So why does this happen?

Cortisol
As your estrogen hormone levels drop, the level of cortisol in your body can increase.
High cortisol can increase anxiety and is the reason why many women suffer anxiety during menopause.
High levels of cortisol can lead to muscle mass loss and an accumulation of fat, causing muscle tension and muscle pain.
Lastly, high levels of cortisol will increase your sensitivity to pain and you might feel pain more keenly.
Source: therapitylino.co.uk – why do I have muscle pain

Progesterone
Progesterone is a muscle relaxant, helping your body to relax.
As progesterone starts to decrease during menopause, it can cause more muscle tension.
Source:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – daily fluctuations of progesterone

Low magnesium
Magnesium is vital for proper muscle function.
If you don’t have enough magnesium in your diet or have problems absorbing magnesium, then that will affect muscle function.
Low magnesium will also cause more muscle aches.
Source: clevelandclinic.org – what to do about magnesium deficiency

Excessive sweating
If you have a lot of hot flushes or night sweats, you can lose minerals such as magnesium and potassium through sweat.
This again will compound muscle aches and pains as well as cramps.

Low iron
If you are approaching menopause and your periods become heavier or last longer, you can end up with anemia.
Low iron means that less oxygen is being transported to the muscles.
If you are exercising, but not getting enough oxygen to the muscles, that will result in muscle pain.
Source:
mayoclinic.org – anemia symptoms and causes

Weight gain
Putting on weight during menopause can have a direct effect on your muscles because your muscles then need to carry that extra weight, especially the leg muscles, leading to muscle fatigue.

Poor sleep
Not only can poor quality sleep trigger anxiety, but anxiety can also make it harder to fall asleep.
Poor sleep increases your anxiety levels, which can affect muscle function, causing muscle tension and pain.

Arthritis
Women are prone to arthritis as they approach menopause, causing joints to be affected, which can also contribute to muscle aches and pains.
Source: arthritis.org – musculoskeletal pain and arthritis

What can help your muscles during menopause?

There are plenty of things you can do to help your muscles during menopause, including:
magnesium and iron

• Make sure you are getting plenty of magnesium because it can restore muscle function very quickly, including alleviating cramps and restless legs
• Add magnesium-rich foods to your diet such as nuts, and seeds and dark green leafy vegetables
• Consider taking supplements, as this is an easy way to increase your magnesium and your iron if you need it

Exercise regularly
Exercise is really important during menopause to maintain muscle tone and strength.
Stretching exercises such as yoga, tai chi, and Pilates can help keep the muscles supple.

Eat plenty of protein
Make sure that you’re getting enough protein in your diet as your protein needs increase during menopause.
If you are low on protein, it will affect your muscle function.

Stay hydrated
Are you drinking enough water?
Dehydration plays a factor in muscle function, especially if you exercise and sweat regularly.

De-stress
Try and manage your stress levels as this helps to keep cortisol levels down, which not only helps muscle growth but also prevents muscle tension caused by tensing up when stressed or anxious.
Sources:
sutterhealth.org – menopause with joint muscle pain
therapitylino.co.uk – why do I have muscle pain