<<(Home Page)
HEALTH: HOW TO PREVENT - ARTHRITIS (JOINT - PAIN - ARTHRITIS) Osteoarthritis>>
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain.
For people who have arthritis, the word variously signifies pain,
swelling, redness, and heat that may be caused by tissue injury or
disease in the joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of
arthritis. It is called a degenerative joint disease because it results
from the deterioration of the bones and cartilage that make up the
joints. The second most common type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
is an inflammatory disease that affects the lining of multiple joints,
especially in the hands and feet. Although it affects only one-tenth as
many people as osteoarthritis, it can be far more debilitating.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but all have one thing in common: These different diseases affect joints. Many of them also affect the areas and structures surrounding joints. Perhaps more important, arthritis is painful and can interfere with your ability to do the things that you enjoy, from cooking a meal to playing golf.
The number of people with arthritis is staggering. In
2005, 66 million adults in the United States — nearly 1 in 3 — had
either been diagnosed with arthritis or were living with undiagnosed
chronic joint pain and other symptoms. Although the risk of some types
of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, increases with age, more than
half of those affected by all types of arthritis are younger than 65.
In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Americans
older than 15.
Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Nearly 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children!
More than 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.
It doesn't have to be that way. If you have
arthritis, there are steps you can take, starting today, to protect
your joints, reduce pain, and improve mobility. The exact strategy
depends on the type of arthritis you have, but for most people, there
is reason for optimism.
Millions of people are living with arthritis, but this report will suggest ways in living free.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Also see: OSTEOARTHRITIS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS GOUT BURSITIS TENDONITIS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Health: Causes of Arthritis (joint - pain)
Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognoses. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect other internal body areas. The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout), and hereditary factors, infections, and unclear reasons, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.
You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:
- An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign)
- Broken bone
- General "wear and tear" on joints
- Infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)
Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared.
With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers.
Health: Risk Factors for Arthritis (joint - pain)
- Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. While your genes don't actually cause arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
- Age. The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
- Sex. Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout are men.
- Previous joint injury. People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
- Obesity. Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Health: Symptoms of Arthritis (joint - pain)
The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your joint symptoms may include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Joint swelling
- Redness around the joint
- Reduced mobility and range of motions
- Warmth around the joint
Some types of arthritis are accompanied by signs and symptoms involving other parts of your body. These symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Weight loss
- Breathing problems
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Night sweats
NATURAL CURE FOR ARTHRITIS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Health: Diagnosis and Tests for Arthritis (joint - pain)
Depending on the type of arthritis suspected, your doctor may suggest some of the following tests.
Laboratory tests
The analysis of different types of body fluids can help
pinpoint the type of arthritis you may have. Fluids commonly analyzed
include:
- Blood
- Urine
- Joint fluid
To obtain a sample of your joint fluid, your doctor will cleanse and numb your skin, and then insert a needle into your joint space to withdraw some fluid.
Imaging
These types of tests can detect problems within your joint that may be causing your symptoms. Examples include:
- X-rays. Using low levels of radiation to visualize bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. X-rays may not reveal early arthritic damage, but are often used to track progression of the disease.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combining radio waves with a strong magnetic field, MRI can visualize soft tissues such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as bone.
Arthroscopy
In some cases, your doctor may look for damage in your joint
by inserting a small, flexible tube — called an arthroscope — through
an incision near your joint. The arthroscope transmits images from
inside the joint to a video screen.
Conventional Health Treatments for Arthritis (joint - pain)
Treatment of arthritis depends on the particular cause, which joints are affected, severity, and how the condition affects your daily activities. Your age and occupation will also be taken into consideration when your doctor works with you to create a treatment plan.
If possible, treatment will focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis. However, the cause is NOT necessarily curable, as with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment, therefore, aims at reducing your pain and discomfort and preventing further disability.
It is possible to greatly improve your symptoms from osteoarthritis and other long-term types of arthritis without medications. In fact, making lifestyle changes without medications is preferable for osteoarthritis and other forms of joint inflammation. If needed, medications should be used in addition to lifestyle changes.
Exercise for arthritis is necessary to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength. Your exercise program should be tailored to you as an individual. Work with a physical therapist to design an individualized program, which should include:
- Low-impact aerobic activity (also called endurance exercise)
- Range of motion exercises for flexibility
- Strength training for muscle tone
A physical therapist can apply heat and cold treatments as needed and fit you for splints or orthotic (straightening) devices to support and align joints. This may be particularly necessary for rheumatoid arthritis. Your physical therapist may also consider water therapy, ice massage, or transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS).
Rest is just as important as exercise. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours per night and taking naps during the day can help you recover from a flare-up more quickly and may even help prevent exacerbations. You should also:
- Avoid holding one position for too long.
- Avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on your affected joints.
- Modify your home to make activities easier. For example, have grab bars in the shower, the tub, and near the toilet.
- Reduce stress, which can aggravate your symptoms. Try meditation or guided imagery. And talk to your physical therapist about yoga or tai chi.
Other measures to try include:
- Apply capsaicin cream (derived from hot chili peppers) to the skin over your painful joints. You may feel improvement after applying the cream for 3-7 days.
- Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants like vitamin E. These are found in fruits and vegetables. Get selenium from Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, garlic, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and Brazil nuts. Get omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish (like salmon, mackerel, and herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola) oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.
- Taking glucosamine and chondroitin -- these form the building blocks of cartilage, the substance that lines joints. These supplements are available at health food stores or supermarkets. While some studies show such supplements may reduce osteoarthritis symptoms, others show no benefit. However, since these products are regarded as safe, they are reasonable to try and many patients find their symptoms improve.
Medications for arthritis
Your doctor will choose from a variety of medications as needed. Generally, the first drugs to try are available without a prescription. These include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the American Geriatrics Society as first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. Take up to 4 grams a day (two arthritis-strength Tylenol every 8 hours). This can provide significant relief of arthritis pain without many of the side effects of prescription drugs. DO NOT exceed the recommended doses of acetaminophen or take the drug in combination with large amounts of alcohol. These actions may damage your liver.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen -- these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often effective in combating arthritis pain. However, they have many potential risks, especially if used for a long time. They should not be taken in any amount without consulting your doctor. Potential side effects include heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding from the digestive tract, and kidney damage. In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked makers of NSAIDs to include a warning label on their product that alerts users of an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and gastrointestinal bleeding. If you have kidney or liver disease, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, you should not take these medicines unless your doctor specifically recommends them.
HOW TO LIVE ARTHRITIS FREE NATURALLY
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Arthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint
function. You may need to try several different treatments, or
combinations of treatments, before you determine what works best for
you.
The medications used to treat arthritis vary, depending on the type of arthritis. Commonly used arthritis medications include:
- Analgesics. These types of medications help reduce pain, but have no effect on inflammation. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), tramadol (Ultram) and narcotics like oxycodone (Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin).
- Counterirritants. Some varieties of creams and ointments contain a substance such as menthol or capsaicin, the ingredient that makes hot peppers spicy. Rubbing these preparations on the skin over your aching joint may interfere with the transmission of pain signals from the joint itself.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce both pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Some types of NSAIDs are available only by prescription. Oral NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, and some may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Some NSAIDs are also available as creams or gels, which can be rubbed on joints.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs slow or stop your immune system from attacking your joints. Examples include methotrexate (Trexall) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).
- Biologics. Typically used in conjunction with DMARDs, biologic response modifiers are genetically engineered drugs that suppress the immune system. Examples include TNF blockers such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade).
- Corticosteroids. This class of drug, which includes prednisone and cortisone, reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system. Corticosteroids can be taken orally or be injected directly into the painful joint.
Therapy
Physical therapy can be helpful for some types of arthritis. Exercises
can improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding
joints. In some cases, splints or braces may be warranted.
Surgery
If more-conservative measures don't help, your doctor may suggest surgery, such as:
- Synovium removal (synovectomy). Rheumatoid arthritis causes the joint capsule's lining, called the synovium, to swell — particularly in the wrists, hands and fingers. Removing the synovium may slow joint deterioration.
- Joint replacement. This procedure removes your damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one. Joints most commonly replaced are hips and knees.
- Joint fusion. This procedure is more often used for smaller joints, such as those in the wrist, ankle and fingers. It removes the ends of the two bones in the joint and then locks those ends together until they heal into one rigid unit.
Health: Preventive Measures for Arthritis (joint - pain)
- Weight loss. If you're obese, losing weight will reduce the stress on your weight-bearing joints. This may increase your mobility and limit future joint injury.
- Exercise. Regular exercise can help keep your joints flexible. Swimming or water aerobics is often a good choice because the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.
- Heat and cold. Heating pads or ice packs may help relieve arthritis pain.
- Assistive devices. Using canes, walkers, raised toilet seats and other assistive devices can help protect your joints and improve your ability to perform daily tasks.
Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner. Therefore any content of this site is strictly intended for educational and informational purpose only. Any access to this site is strictly on a voluntary basis and at the sole discretion of the user. No content of this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor constitute the practice of any medical profession or health care provider. The information provided on this site is here to educate visitors on health issues that may affect their lives. Otherwise, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. And never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Sources: NIH News In Health/National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine/Dept of Health and Human Services_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
<<Home Page Osteoarthritis>>
