Arthritis

                Arthritis

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age.

Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself.

Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation.

There is also an uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as pseudogout.

All arthritides feature pain. Pain patterns may differ depending on the arthritides and the location. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning and associated with stiffness; in the early stages, patients often have no symptoms after a morning shower. In the aged and children, pain might not be the main presenting feature; the aged patient simply moves less, the infantile patient refuses to use the affected limb.

Elements of the history of the disorder guide diagnosis. Important features are speed and time of onset, pattern of joint involvement, symmetry of symptoms, early morning stiffness, tenderness, gelling or locking with inactivity, aggravating and relieving factors, and other systemic symptoms. Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis, or may indicate systemic disease. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner.

Symptoms

Arthritis pain can be continuous or intermittent

It can cause swelling or inflammation

Pain may occur after activity or exercise

Pain may occur even if you've been resting and still for a period of time

Pain may be concentrated in one spot or all over your body

Joints may feel stiff and difficult to move

Daily chores and activity may become a challenge.

The pain may be more severe during certain times of the day

The skin over the joint may appear swollen, red, and feel hot

Arthritis may also cause fatigue or weariness

The location of the pain may signal the condition you have:

Pain that truly comes from a hip problem is often located in the thigh or groin area.

If hip pain is more in the buttocks than the hip, for example, it may actually be the result of a problem in the back. 

Hip pain that travels down the leg may be the result of inflammation in the hip joint, it can also be a sign of sciatica (a condition usually caused by a pinched nerve in the back).

If the pain travels below the knee, it could be a sign of disease in the nerves or blood vessels.

In women, pain in the hip or upper leg may stem from several other causes, including tumors of the uterus or ovaries, endometriosis (the presence of uterine tissue elsewhere in the body), or pelvic inflammatory disease (infection in the reproductive organs).

 Arthritis Awareness

Awareness of arthritis and the fact that prevention strategies do exist must be emphasized, both to the general public and to health care providers. Early diagnosis is important. Arthritis prevention tactics include:

weight control

physical activity

injury prevention in sports and the workplace

protection from tick bites and the potential for Lyme disease

Regular exercise is another preventive measure against arthritis. Exercise can provide strength to the joints and help maintain healthy muscle tone. Walking and other weight-bearing exercises can also help prevent osteoarthritis by increasing the strength of the muscles that support the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms develop gradually, and it is not always possible to know when the disease first developed. Many people have symptoms that are present continuously, some have symptoms that completely resolve, and others have alternating periods of bothersome symptoms and complete resolution. The onset, severity, and specific symptoms of this condition can vary greatly from person to person.

Treatment plays a key role in controlling the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and minimizing joint damage. Treatment usually entails a combination of drug therapy and other non-drug therapies. In some cases, treatment may also involve surgery.

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis must be tailored to each patient's individual case, including the severity of the condition, the effectiveness of specific therapies, and the occurrence of any side effects. Treatment choices may be different for a person with rheumatoid arthritis who has other illnesses, especially those of the liver or kidneys. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to create an effective and acceptable plan for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment

While arthritis tends to afflict people as they get older, it can strike people of all ages.

Many studies have been made concerning arthritis treatment. However, there are many misconceptions about this disease, one of them being that arthritis is just something that “you have to learn to live with.” And because of that, many sufferers never seek appropriate arthritis treatment and medical care.

While arthritis can be an extremely debilitating disease, correct arthritis treatment can help ease the pain and prevent further damage. There is, however, no cure for arthritis yet, in the way that there is no cure for diabetes or hypertension. But there are still several effective arthritis treatments available that you can take.

A good start to relieving arthritis symptoms includes getting rest and regular exercise.  While you may not want to exercise when you are sore, it is a great way to relieve the discomfort and pain.  You should be aiming for a good balance between rest and exercise.  Effective exercise includes

Range of motion exercises to reduce stiffness

Strengthening exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength

Endurance exercises to build fitness

Many forms of arthritis are often manageable with over-the-counter drugs.  They are the same medicines commonly taken for headaches, colds, or other minor pain.  This kind of arthritis treatment is taken orally and in moderation in order to avoid any unpleasant side effects.  Easily available, and often effective, arthritis treatments include:

Aspirin

Acetaminophen

Ibuprofen

Naproxen

Corticosteroids are used to reduce severe pain and swelling.  They can be given either by injection or in pill form.  Injections can provide rapid and relatively long lasting relief, but should be used sparingly, as they can weaken nearby bone and cartilage.

Topical Herbal Remedies

A traditional way of administering arthritis treatment is through herbal remedies. These traditional remedies are often applied topically, usually rubbed into the skin so they are absorbed into the blood stream. Some of these arthritis treatment remedies have skin-warming ingredients while others act more like anesthetics or pain killers.

One good example of an herb that can be used in arthritis treatment is capsaicin. This is a pungent chemical found in red peppers and is available commercially in cream form. The chemical acts particularly on pain and inflammation nerves, thus, helping ease the pain.

Alternative treatments

Acupuncture:  A popular alternative arthritis treatment.  During acupuncture treatment, thin metal needles are placed into the body at various acu-points, many of which are near nerves.  The stimulated nerves ultimately cause a release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, which block pain from being transmitted.

Magnets:  Proponents for this alternative arthritis treatment suggest that magnets stimulate blood flow in the local area near the magnets, bringing additional oxygen and nutrients to the damaged joint.

Surgery

In severe cases of arthritis, and if medication is not working, surgery can sometimes be an option to replace the joint or improve its alignment.  Surgical options include:

Arthroscopy:  Using a very small cut around the joint, a surgeon can remove damaged bone, cartilage, or other debris from your joint, or make other repairs such as removing swollen tissue or smoothing out rough surfaces.

Joint Replacement:  If damage to the joint is very severe, an alternative is for a surgeon to replace all or part of the damaged joint with a man-made replacement.

Joint Fusion:  If joint replacement doesn’t work, surgeons can also sometimes remove the joint altogether and then fuse the ends of the two bones that connect it.

As you can see, there are many alternatives for arthritis treatment for pain sufferers.  Don’t be discouraged by the news that modern science has yet to find a cure to your condition. Instead, take control of your life by taking control of the disease and refusing to back down one step.