Learning More About Arthritis

By July 22, 2015Blog

arthritis animation infographicArthritis is the leading cause of disability among Americans, affecting more than 52 million adults. That’s 20% of the US adult population. Arthritis is when one or more joints becomes inflamed causing pain and stiffness. It can take many different forms, the two most common types of arthritis are, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type where it causes to joint’s cartilage to wear-and-tear. Bones can grind directly on another bone, which causes a lot of pain and restricted movement. Rheumatoid arthritis is when an individual’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule. The lining, also known as he synovial membrane, becomes inflamed and swollen. This can potentially ruin cartilage and bones within the joint.

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Decreased range of motion

Risk factors of arthritis:

  • Obesity: Put stress on joints, particularly knees, hips and spine. They are at a higher risk of developing arthritis.
  • Gender: Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Age: Risk increases with age.
  • Family history: Some types of arthritis run in the family.

Arthritis usually begins around age 40 and continues to get progressively worse as you age.  Your joints allow the smooth movement of bones because they’re coated with soft material called cartilage and are lubricated with other fluids. As osteoarthritis worsens, this cartilage wears down leaving a bone-on-bone connection in your joints. The resulting friction of two bones grinding together causes many of the symptoms you might be feeling.

Arthritis prevention

Research is still underway to find a solution of Arthritis. At times it seems that preventing it is impossible but there are step you can take to reduce the effect of arthritis and can slow down its progress by taking some caution.

  •  Maintain a healthy weight with regular physical activity.
  •  Eat healthy food, eat less, and do more aerobic exercise.
  •  Water exercises are best for arthritis sufferers.
  •  Quite smoking and drinking alcohol specially those who suffers Gout.
  •  Avoiding excessive and repetitive movements .
  •  Strengthening the muscles around the join for added support.
  •  Use some therapies and medication to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  •  Don’t delay to see a doctor if you have joint symptoms.

Treatment for arthritis

The major problem from most arthritis is pain, so treatment for arthritis often starts with pain medication, or analgesics. Arthritis pain medications may be over the counter or prescription strength, and include everything from common Tylenol to the heavy narcotic tramadol. For mild pain, topical analgesics such as Icy Hot, Bengay or Arthricare can be purchased at any drug store. When a stronger pain reliever is needed, doctors often prescribe narcotic analgesics like Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycontin.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are sometimes used to reduce inflammation from arthritis, which in turn reduces pain. Some stronger NSAIDs such as Relafen, Indocin and Lodine are prescription only. NSAIDs can have serious side effects from heart attacks and strokes to internal bleeding when taken too long, so use of the drugs should be limited and with other medications.

People with arthritis also sometimes take corticosteroids, which can quickly reduce pain and inflammation. These are not everyday drugs, and are usually used when the pain becomes too much to bear, especially if the pain is localized. Corticosteroids are often used for gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and can be administered as shots at the inflamed area or taken as a pill for a few days.

Natural remedies

Some people with rheumatic diseases look to homeopathic or natural remedies to treat pain. Since many kinds of arthritis are related to being overweight and or obese, doctors often recommend heavier patients lose weight to relieve pain. Or, if you are at a healthy weight but don’t move around much, adding or increasing physical activity may also help manage pain. Activities such as swimming or water aerobics help ease the pressure on joints during workouts.

Another common remedy for pain is cold therapy, which is best used when inflammation, redness or swelling is present. A cold compress or ice pack can numb local pain and reduce inflammation. Similarly, hot therapy is good for stiffness, especially in the morning when joints tend to be less flexible. If you’re interested in dietary modifications, some evidence suggests omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric can help with joint pain. Some people also turn to yoga or acupuncture to help manage arthritic pain.

If you think you have arthritis, or have been diagnosed and are looking for help, talk with your doctor about pain management techniques. The right doctor can find a management plan that works for your condition and your budget.