Statistics show that one in three adults suffer from some form of Arthritis.
Overall, Arthritis affects about twice as many women as men.
Arthritis may be described as a group of conditions affecting the bone joints in the body.
The causes of Arthritis can often be traced to strains and injuries from repetitive motion, sports and accidents.
Arthritis often has a high degree of sensitivity to the weather.
Usually in the morning, Arthritis is at its most painful.
In diagnosis of Arthritis, X-rays of the affected joints often are performed.
Osteoarthritis is the degenerative wear and tear type of arthritis.
This is when the cartilage lining of a joint becomes eroded resulting in pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is the result of ageing and is more common in men than women.
This type of Arthritis is also tends to run in families.
Osteoarthritis is associated with minor inflamation.
The areas most affected are knees, hips, spine and fingers.
Omega-3 fish oil and flaxseed oil supplements may be of help in Arthritis.
Fatty animal products should be avoided.
Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C may also be of help in Osteoarthritis.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder more common in younger people.
It usually affects the hands and knuckle joints, wrists, elbows, knees and feet.
Joints usually feel hot.
Some foods have been shown to agrivate rheumatoid arthritis.
These are milk, cheese, beef and wheat.
Fish oil supplements, Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed Oils may be of help in rheumatoid arthritis.
The herbs Turmeric, Feverfew, Devils Claw, Meadowsweet and Guaiacum Resin may be of help.
History of Arthritis:
The first known traces of human arthritis date TO 4500 BC and found in skeletal remains of Native Americans.
It is interesting to note that eveidence of Arthritis has been found in dinosaurs.
It is also interesting to nate that by 500 BC, willow bark was being used to help relieve arthritis.
Arthritis Pain:
The pain of arthritis may come from different sources.
These may include inflammation of the synovial membrane, the tendons, or the ligaments, muscle strain and fatigue.
The pain of arthritis varies from person to person.
Factors that contribute to the pain include swelling within the joint, the amount of heat or redness present, or damage that has occurred within the joint.
The most common way to measure pain is for the doctor to ask you about your problems.
The doctor may ask you to describe the level of pain you feel on a scale of 1 to 10.
Since doctors rely on your description of pain to help guide treatment, you may want to keep a pain diary to record your pain sensations.
On a daily basis, you can describe the situations that cause or alter the intensity of your pain, the sensations and severity of your pain, and your reactions to the pain.
How Is Arthritis Pain Treated:
There is no single treatment that applies to all people with arthritis, but rather the doctor will develop a management plan designed to minimize your specific pain and improve the function of your joints.
Short-Term Arthritis Relief:
Medications : Because people with osteoarthritis have very little inflammation, some pain relievers may be effective.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis generally have pain caused by inflammation and often benefit from aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).
Heat and cold : The decision to use either heat or cold for arthritis pain depends on the type of arthritis and should be discussed with your doctor or physical therapist.
Moist heat, such as a warm bath or shower, or dry heat, such as a heating pad, placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes may relieve the pain.
An ice pack wrapped in a towel and placed on the sore area for about 15 minutes may help to reduce swelling and stop the pain.
If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs.
Joint Protection : Using a splint or a brace to allow joints to rest and protect them from injury can be helpful.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) : A small TENS device that directs mild electric pulses to nerve endings that lie beneath the skin in the painful area may relieve some arthritis pain.
TENS seems to work by blocking pain messages to the brain and by modifying pain perception.
Massage : In this pain-relief approach, a massage therapist will lightly stroke and/or knead the painful muscle.
This may increase blood flow and bring warmth to a stressed area.
However, arthritis-stressed joints are very sensitive so the therapist must be very familiar with the problems of the disease.
Acupuncture : This procedure should only be done by a licensed acupuncture therapist.
Long-Term Arthritis Relief :
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) : These are a class of drugs including aspirin and ibuprofen that are used to reduce pain and inflammation and may be used for both short-term and long-term relief in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS ) : These are drugs used to treat people with rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to NSAIDs.
Some of these include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, penicillamine, and gold injections.
Corticosteroids : These are hormones that are very effective in treating arthritis.
Prednisone is the corticosteroid most often given by mouth to reduce the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.
In both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the doctor also may inject a corticosteroid into the affected joint to stop pain.
Because frequent injections may cause damage to the cartilage, they should only be done once or twice a year.
Weight reduction : Excess pounds put extra stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees or hips.
Exercise : Swimming, walking, low-impact aerobic exercise, and range-of-motion exercises may reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Surgery : In select patients with arthritis, surgery may be necessary.
Things You Can Do To Manage Arthritis Pain :
Eat a healthy diet.
Get 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night.
Keep a daily diary of pain and mood changes to share with your physician.
Choose a caring physician.
Join a support group.
Stay informed about new research on managing arthritis pain.
Arthritis and Exercise:
Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis.
Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance.
Exercise should be a part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan which includes rest and relaxation, proper diet, medication, and instruction about proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy, as well as the use of pain relief methods.
Three types of exercise are best for people with arthritis :
Range-of-motion exercises help maintain normal joint movement and relieve stiffness.
Strengthening exercises help keep or increase muscle strength.
Aerobic or endurance exercises improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function.
Some studies show that aerobic exercise can reduce inflammation in some joints.
People with arthritis should discuss exercise options with their doctors.
Most doctors recommend exercise for their patients.
How To Get Started:
Discuss exercise plans with your doctor.
Start with supervision from a physical therapist or qualified athletic trainer.
Apply heat to sore joints (optional; many people with arthritis start their exercise program this way).
Stretch and warm up with range-of-motion exercises.
Start strengthening exercises slowly with small weights.
Add aerobic exercise.
Consider appropriate recreational exercise.
Ease off if joints become painful, inflamed, or red and work with your doctor to find the cause and eliminate it.
Choose the exercise program you enjoy most and make it a habit.
Range-of-motion exercises can be done daily and should be done at least every other day.
Strengthening exercises also can be done daily and should be done at least every other day unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.
Endurance exercises should be done for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.
Most experts agree that if exercise causes pain that lasts for more than 1 hour, it is too much.
People with arthritis should work with their physical therapist or doctor to adjust their exercise program when they notice any of the following signs of too much exercise :
Unusual or persistent fatigue.
Increased weakness.
Decreased range of motion.
Increased joint swelling.
Continuing pain that lasts more than 1 hour after exercising.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid Arthritis Features
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Develops
Occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Gout
Bursitis
Arthritis Laboratory Tests
Osteoarthritis Occurence
Pain-Free Arthritis : A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again
PARALUMUN