Are you taking treatment for Chikungunya? Or are you a healthy individual and want to prevent Chikungunya altogether? Prevention is always better than cure! And the same applies to the disease that causes severe joint pains and gastrointestinal infections. High fever, joint pain, headache, nausea and skin rash usually accompany Chikungunya. But then, there are certain simple diet tips that can help alleviate these symptoms and accelerate your recovery from Chikungunya! Would you like to know what they are? Do give this post a read!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies Chikungunya as a viral infection, usually spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Research is still on to find the right cure for Chikungunya. Doctors usually recommend a variety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and fever-reducing drugs to treat symptoms of the condition (1).
One of the best ways to relieve the chronic joint pain that accompanies Chikungunya is low-impact aerobic exercise. It involves stretching and slow movements (2).
Another effective way to relieve pain in the joints is by massaging the fingers. Massage the middle fingers to relieve leg joint pain and the outer two fingers to relieve joint pain in the arms. Usually, Chikungunya patients suffer from chronic arthritis even after the disease subsides (3).
Crush some ice and wrap it up in a small hand towel. Press and hold the towel over the joint for a while. Using the cold compress is the best way of reducing inflammation, pain, and joint damage (4).
One of the most effective home remedies for a host of diseases, turmeric is also a popular spice in India. Turmeric contains curcumin, a strong antioxidant, which exhibits anti-inflammatory characteristics. It makes turmeric an effective home remedy for curing symptoms of Chikungunya (5).
An infection in the stomach or the liver is one of the symptoms of Chikungunya. You should massage the pressure points in two specific areas to reduce the pain and inflammation. It will help you treat the infection too.
Chili peppers are rich in capsaicin. Capsaicin is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Scientific research proves how capsaicin reduces inflammation (6).
One of the best remedies for Chikungunya is rest. Take more than eight hours of sleep if necessary. Remember to take other short naps and rest in a warm environment.
Another popular remedy for a host of afflictions, ginger also helps relieve inflammation. It contains naturally occurring analgesics, which mimic Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Unlike NSAIDs, the analgesics present in ginger have few side effects and are especially effective in dealing with inflammation (7).
Vitamin C has many antioxidant properties. These properties make it an ideal food during allergy and infections, as it helps flush toxins from the body. The presence of Vitamin C triggers the activity of Vitamin E, which is essential for the reduction of pain and inflammation (8).
Leafy greens are one of the best home remedies for inflammation and pain. Leafy greens contain Vitamin E and iron, among other nutrients. Vitamin E exhibits antioxidant characteristics that help reduce pain and inflammation. It also helps eliminate cytokines from your body (9).
So, why wait? If you are suffering from Chikungunya all you need to do is include these super foods in your diet today to hit the road to recovery. You can also start consuming it if you are bearing its aftermath in the form of inflammation and chronic arthritic pain. Tell us about other remedies or tips that can help control these symptoms. You could also share your experiences here. Comment below!