Treatment for arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a type of joint illness that affects a large number of people. It can cause inflammation and pain, making it difficult to move and stay active. Arthritis manifests itself in a variety of ways. Each variety has its own list of symptoms and may necessitate unique treatment options. While arthritis is often associated with elderly, it can affect men, women, and children of all ages.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide and affects the joints that connect and move your bones. Arthritis is defined by inflammation, degeneration, or wear and tear of the joints. These alterations can cause pain when you use the joint. The following bodily parts are the most typically affected by arthritis:
- Feet
- Hands
- Hips
- Knees
- Lower back
What are the parts of a joint?
Joints are cushioned and supported by soft tissues, which prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. Cartilage is a fibrous connective tissue that plays a vital role in the human body. It helps your joints move smoothly, eliminating friction and pain. Some joints have a synovial membrane, which is a cushioning pocket of fluid that lubricates the joints. Many joints, including the knees, are supported by tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones.\
Types of arthritis
Arthritis is a broad term that refers to a wide range of joint problems. The most common types of arthritis are as follows:
- Osteoarthritis, commonly known as "wear and tear" arthritis, is a condition in which joint cartilage degrades over time as a result of repeated stress. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common kind of arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is an arthritic condition that affects the vertebrae, most commonly in the lower back.
- JA is an autoimmune illness wherein the immune system attacks the tissue around joints. The majority of youngsters under the age of 16 are affected by JA.
- Gout is a condition characterized by the accumulation of hardened uric acid crystals in the joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis is an arthritic condition that affects people who do have psoriasis (autoimmune disorder that causes skin irritation).
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease system that destroys the joints' synovial membranes.
What causes arthritis
Arthritis is caused by a variety of factors. An overabundance of uric acid in the body, for example, causes gout. On either hand, the exact cause of some kinds of arthritis remains unknown. You may develop arthritis if you have any of the following:
- Have a history of arthritis in your family.
- Have a profession or participate in a sport which puts strain on your joints on a regular basis.
- You may be suffering from autoimmune illnesses or viral infections.
Arthritis symptoms
Arthritis manifests itself in a variety of ways. They may be minimal in some people, but they can be severe in others. It's conceivable that joint soreness will be intermittent or persistent. The following are some of the most common symptoms:
- Pain
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Warmth
Arthritis diagnostic
If you think you might have arthritis, talk to your doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how joint pain affects your day-to-day life. Your provider will do a physical examination, which includes the following:
- Examining your joint mobility and flexion.
- Examining the area around your joints for soreness or edema.
- Taking a look at your general health to see whether your symptoms are being caused by something else.
Arthritis treatment
Although arthritis has no cure, there are drugs that can help you overcome it. Your treatment strategy will be determined by the severity of the arthritis, its symptoms, and the overall health. The following are examples of nonsurgical (conservative) treatments:
- Medication: Anti-inflammatory and pain medications can help with arthritis symptoms. Biologics are medications that target the inflammatory response of your immune system. If you do have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may recommend biologics.
- Physiotherapy or physical therapy: Strength, range of motion, and total mobility can all be improved with rehabilitation. Occupational therapists can educate you how to modify your normal tasks to alleviate arthritis discomfort. It is one of the best treatments for arthritis.
- Therapeutic injections: For a limited time, cortisone injections can help relieve pain and inflammation in the joints. Viscosupplementation, a type of drug, may help treat arthritis in specific joints, such as the knee. It injects lubrication into joints to improve their smoothness of movement.
Preventing arthritis
You can reduce your risk of having arthritis by doing the following:
- Tobacco products should be avoided.
- Exercising in a low-impact, non-weight-bearing manner.
- Keeping a healthy body weight is important.
- Lowering your chances of getting a joint injury
Take Away
While you should address these symptoms with your health care physician, he or she may refer you to a rheumatologist or another joint condition expert for further evaluation.
