This was a question from Billy’s wife’s grandmother. We love the term rheumatism. It’s so old-fashioned and dramatic and makes you think about other illnesses like lumbago, dropsy, or the fits. Rheumatism isn’t a term that is used in hospitals, but is generally used to refer to arthritis.
Arthritis doesn’t refer to one specific condition, but is a general term for inflammation of joints. There are over one hundred types of arthritis
. Arthritis affects about 42 million people. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints and ultimately the breakdown and loss of cartilage. There is no cure for osteoarthritis.
Copper bracelets have been sold as a cure for arthritis based upon the belief that the copper is absorbed into the skin and can help rejuvenate the cartilage. This is a myth, and there is no proof that these bracelets work. There are many studies looking at copper and how it affects the growth of cartilage, so in the future we may discover some new ways to use this important element. Copper is, however, a necessary part of our diet. Copper is essential for normal metabolism, but copper deficiency is extremely uncommon. In the meantime, there are serious side effects with copper supplements. So check with your doctor before taking them.
As for the copper bracelets, go ahead, war them if you want. They won’t fix your arthritis, but they might turn your arm green.
Next: Does your heart stop when you sneeze?
Previous: Do men experience menopause too?
"Do copper bracelets help with rheumatism?" was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 2:07 am.