Arthritis: Managing The Symptoms
EmPower Research
February 29, 2008
By Sushma R
We have seen our parents and elders constantly complaining about joint pains and body aches. These pains come due to several reasons and many of them depend on one´s eating habits, exercise patterns and the medication taken for other causes. We can say that age-related problems are entirely linked to one´s lifestyle and genetic backup. Most of the time, they are due to a painful condition known as Arthritis.
Arthritis is a pre-historic disorder and archeologists have found skeletons of early humans with indications of arthritis. Arthritis is a group of conditions where there is damage to the joints of the body. It is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55.
Physical Examination
All forms of arthritis feature pain. Patterns of pain differ among the types and location. The history of the pain, the origins, the number of joints that are involved, the duration, aggravating, and relieving factors all guide the diagnosis. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess the severity in a more quantitative manner.
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to confirm the diagnosis. Screening of blood tests may also be indicated if a particular type of arthritis is suspected. This may include rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen, and specific antibodies.
Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage covering the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflamed joints leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks the tissues that make up the joints.
Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.
Gout, which affects mostly men, is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.
Juvenile arthritis is a general term for all types of arthritis that occur in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, or other types of arthritis.
Still's disease is a disorder featuring inflammation; it is characterized by high-spiking fever, evanescent salmon-colored rash, and arthritis. It is a form of juvenile arthritis.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body.
Scleroderma is a disease of the body´s connective tissue that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin.
Fibromyalgia is a type of arthritis where widespread pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It mostly affects women.
Certain diseases mimic arthritis. They include hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, and fifth disease.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, and limited movement of joints. In case of joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed, and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making the movements painful. Only a physician can determine whether a patient is suffering from any symptoms of arthritis. One should find out which type of arthritis they have in order to start the best course of arthritis treatment. The symptoms of arthritis may come up rapidly or slowly over time and may include sleeplessness, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches. Many people will experience some difficulty functioning at home, at work or at play due to joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion regardless of the type of arthritis they have.
People can protect their joints by avoiding excess stress and staying at an ideal weight, which will help relieve pressure on hips and knees. A major goal of all arthritis treatment is the preservation or improvement of daily tasks functioning.
Diet for Arthritis
Apart from traditional medicines, one should take care of their diet and do some regular exercises. The best method to prevent the arthritis is to prevent degenerative changes. This begins with the restriction in the diet, which should be high in complex carbohydrates and relatively low in sugar, salt, protein, and fats. Fast food and junk food should be strictly avoided.
Exercise
Exercise for arthritis is necessary to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue and also improve muscle and bone strength. Exercise program should be tailored according to the requirement of an individual. An individualized program should include:
Range of motion - exercises for flexibility
Strength training for muscle tone
Low-impact aerobic activity
In general, it is best to exercise at a specific time and place, when least pain and stiffness is experienced and when not tired.
Treatment
Treatment of arthritis depends on the cause which involves the joints affected, severity and how the condition affects ones´ daily activities. Doctors´ treatment plan will focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis. However, the cause is not necessarily treatable, like in case of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment, therefore, aims at reducing the pain and discomfort and in preventing further disability.
For treatment, one can use natural home remedies as well as herbal treatment along with prescribed arthritis medication. Home Remedies for Arthritis include:
Alfalfa or alfalfa capsules, very rich in minerals needed for the formation of bones.
Chondroitin sulfate 700 mg a day to strengthen joints and ligaments.
Consuming it in tablet form is recommended.
Vitamin E to protect and improve joint mobility.
Bogbean, an aquatic herb is helpful for treating osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
Boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but this herb does not have any side effects and does not cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Ginger is the killer of arthritis pain and is superior to any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It can be applied directly on the affected area or taken orally. Either way it relieves pain, inflammation, stiffness, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Medication
Medication is one of the many ways that can keep arthritis in control and slow down or prevent the progression of the disease. Conventional arthritis medications are of different types like analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, and corticosteroids. There are some medications such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers as well. Physicians will generally choose over-the-counter medications, which are available without a prescription as the first line of treatment. These include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – This is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the American Geriatrics Society as first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. This can provide significant relief of arthritis pain without any side effects.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen - These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often effective in combating arthritis pain. However, they have many potential risks, especially if used for a long time.
Prescription medicines include:
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors – They block an inflammation-promoting enzyme called COX-2.
Corticosteroids - They suppress the immune system and symptoms of inflammation.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs - These have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Biologics - These are the most recent breakthrough in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Such medications are administered by injection and can dramatically improve ones´ quality of life.
Immunosuppressant - These drugs, like azathioprine or cyclophosphamide are used for serious cases of autoimmune forms of arthritis when all other medications have failed.
Potential side effects of over-the-counter drugs include heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding from the digestive tract and kidney damage. These medications should strictly be avoided if one has a history of kidney or liver disease. Corticosteroid medications carry some harmful side effects, particularly over long periods of time.
In some cases, surgery to rebuild the joint (arthroplasty) or to replace the joint (such as a total knee joint replacement) may help to maintain a more normal lifestyle.
Prevention
"Prevention is better than cure" is the phrase, which holds good for any disease. However, it is particularly true for arthritis as there is no cure and only the symptoms can be managed. It is important to keep up the normal range of the motion of all the joints. There are other lifestyle changes like proper sitting and walking which help people restricting the attacks of arthritis. One should follow the perfect posture for standing, sitting, sleeping, and walking.
References:
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis
About.com: ADAM Healthcare Centre
Medical Encyclopedia
AllReferhealth.com
AyurvedicCure.com
Natural Pain Relief.com
New Arthritis Tips.com
We have seen our parents and elders constantly complaining about joint pains and body aches. These pains come due to several reasons and many of them depend on one´s eating habits, exercise patterns and the medication taken for other causes. We can say that age-related problems are entirely linked to one´s lifestyle and genetic backup. Most of the time, they are due to a painful condition known as Arthritis.
Arthritis is a pre-historic disorder and archeologists have found skeletons of early humans with indications of arthritis. Arthritis is a group of conditions where there is damage to the joints of the body. It is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55.
Physical Examination
All forms of arthritis feature pain. Patterns of pain differ among the types and location. The history of the pain, the origins, the number of joints that are involved, the duration, aggravating, and relieving factors all guide the diagnosis. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess the severity in a more quantitative manner.
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to confirm the diagnosis. Screening of blood tests may also be indicated if a particular type of arthritis is suspected. This may include rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen, and specific antibodies.
Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage covering the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflamed joints leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks the tissues that make up the joints.
Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.
Gout, which affects mostly men, is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.
Juvenile arthritis is a general term for all types of arthritis that occur in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, or other types of arthritis.
Still's disease is a disorder featuring inflammation; it is characterized by high-spiking fever, evanescent salmon-colored rash, and arthritis. It is a form of juvenile arthritis.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body.
Scleroderma is a disease of the body´s connective tissue that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin.
Fibromyalgia is a type of arthritis where widespread pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It mostly affects women.
Certain diseases mimic arthritis. They include hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, and fifth disease.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, inflammation, and limited movement of joints. In case of joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, narrowed, and lost by a degenerative process or by inflammation making the movements painful. Only a physician can determine whether a patient is suffering from any symptoms of arthritis. One should find out which type of arthritis they have in order to start the best course of arthritis treatment. The symptoms of arthritis may come up rapidly or slowly over time and may include sleeplessness, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches. Many people will experience some difficulty functioning at home, at work or at play due to joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion regardless of the type of arthritis they have.
People can protect their joints by avoiding excess stress and staying at an ideal weight, which will help relieve pressure on hips and knees. A major goal of all arthritis treatment is the preservation or improvement of daily tasks functioning.
Diet for Arthritis
Apart from traditional medicines, one should take care of their diet and do some regular exercises. The best method to prevent the arthritis is to prevent degenerative changes. This begins with the restriction in the diet, which should be high in complex carbohydrates and relatively low in sugar, salt, protein, and fats. Fast food and junk food should be strictly avoided.
Exercise
Exercise for arthritis is necessary to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue and also improve muscle and bone strength. Exercise program should be tailored according to the requirement of an individual. An individualized program should include:
Range of motion - exercises for flexibility
Strength training for muscle tone
Low-impact aerobic activity
In general, it is best to exercise at a specific time and place, when least pain and stiffness is experienced and when not tired.
Treatment
Treatment of arthritis depends on the cause which involves the joints affected, severity and how the condition affects ones´ daily activities. Doctors´ treatment plan will focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis. However, the cause is not necessarily treatable, like in case of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment, therefore, aims at reducing the pain and discomfort and in preventing further disability.
For treatment, one can use natural home remedies as well as herbal treatment along with prescribed arthritis medication. Home Remedies for Arthritis include:
Alfalfa or alfalfa capsules, very rich in minerals needed for the formation of bones.
Chondroitin sulfate 700 mg a day to strengthen joints and ligaments.
Consuming it in tablet form is recommended.
Vitamin E to protect and improve joint mobility.
Bogbean, an aquatic herb is helpful for treating osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
Boswellia has anti-inflammatory effects similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but this herb does not have any side effects and does not cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Ginger is the killer of arthritis pain and is superior to any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It can be applied directly on the affected area or taken orally. Either way it relieves pain, inflammation, stiffness, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Medication
Medication is one of the many ways that can keep arthritis in control and slow down or prevent the progression of the disease. Conventional arthritis medications are of different types like analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, and corticosteroids. There are some medications such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers as well. Physicians will generally choose over-the-counter medications, which are available without a prescription as the first line of treatment. These include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – This is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the American Geriatrics Society as first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. This can provide significant relief of arthritis pain without any side effects.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen - These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often effective in combating arthritis pain. However, they have many potential risks, especially if used for a long time.
Prescription medicines include:
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors – They block an inflammation-promoting enzyme called COX-2.
Corticosteroids - They suppress the immune system and symptoms of inflammation.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs - These have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Biologics - These are the most recent breakthrough in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Such medications are administered by injection and can dramatically improve ones´ quality of life.
Immunosuppressant - These drugs, like azathioprine or cyclophosphamide are used for serious cases of autoimmune forms of arthritis when all other medications have failed.
Potential side effects of over-the-counter drugs include heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding from the digestive tract and kidney damage. These medications should strictly be avoided if one has a history of kidney or liver disease. Corticosteroid medications carry some harmful side effects, particularly over long periods of time.
In some cases, surgery to rebuild the joint (arthroplasty) or to replace the joint (such as a total knee joint replacement) may help to maintain a more normal lifestyle.
Prevention
"Prevention is better than cure" is the phrase, which holds good for any disease. However, it is particularly true for arthritis as there is no cure and only the symptoms can be managed. It is important to keep up the normal range of the motion of all the joints. There are other lifestyle changes like proper sitting and walking which help people restricting the attacks of arthritis. One should follow the perfect posture for standing, sitting, sleeping, and walking.
References:
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis
About.com: ADAM Healthcare Centre
Medical Encyclopedia
AllReferhealth.com
AyurvedicCure.com
Natural Pain Relief.com
New Arthritis Tips.com
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