Painful Inflammation Of The Joints
In Nigeria, most people use the words, Arthritis and Rheumatism interchangeably, to refer to the swelling of the joints and an awful pain in the joints, causing discomfort in mobility. Medically speaking, is there a clear-cut difference between arthritis and rheumatism?
Dr. Barry Uwadiae, Orthopedic Surgeon,Central Hospital,Benin City, EdoState, explains: “No. The word rheumatism is supposed to describe a pain in the joint or a problem in the joint, while arthritis is a condition associated with the inflammation of the joint causing pain. So, rheumatism is a term used generally to describe the joint or knee.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, Fr. ANSLEM ADODO, OSB, who wrote the COVER STORY: ARTHRITIS IS CURABLE WITH HERBS, state's: “One's occupation plays a major role not only in the development of arthritis but in the quality of one's health in general. Those who stand for long hours' everyday are prone to pains on the knees. Those whose occupation requires lifting heavy objects are prone to waist pain”
He continued: “Accumulating excess calories add more weight to the body. Extra body weight puts too much stress on the hips and knees. The result is arthritis”. For the treatment of the ailment, ADODO proffers this solution”. Diet is very important. Processed or refined food and drinks like sugar, biscuits and ice cream must be avoided. Stop taking coffee; smoking or alcohol must be avoided”.
Fr. ADODO, who also wrote the piece on: “PAWPAW, Remedy For Stomach Ulcer”, lamented: “How heart-rending it is to see people dying at our hospitals of common illness that can easily be cured. The drugs are so expensive. Worse still, 70 per cent of the drugs in the Nigerian market are fake”. Then he adds: “What other hope do we have, then, but to turn to nature?”
“PAWPAW”, he continued, improves the digestion of protein and expels worms. The ripe fruits are rich in vitamins A, B and C. Vitamin A is good for eyesight; vitamin B for nerves and muscles, while vitamin C strengthens the immune system and helps to fight against illness.”
Apart from stomach ulcer, PAWPAW can also be used for the treatment of malaria fever, diabetes, external ulcer, convulsion, asthma, bronchitis, piles, impotence, as well as chest and waist pains.
Encumbered by a failing economy; a creaky primary health care delivery system; an avalanche of fake and adulterated drugs as well as a suffocating regime of utterly expensive drugs, this edition, clearly, offers you hope through NATURE.