Karen’s Free Health and Fitness Tips

Arthritis is meant by ‘Inflammation of the joints’. There are various types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main arthritic disorder among human population. Rheumatoid arthritis, JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis), Gouty arthritis is the other prominent forms of arthritis.

The cause varies from one disease to the other. OA occurs when the defensive, cushion like articular cartilage wrapping the facing bones of a joint get destroyed, resulting into the bones rubbing against each other. This friction causes pain in the joint and swelling. As a result of this bone rubbing most medical examiners think there is no Arthritis Cures.

OA gets worse as the cartilage breaks down further bringing more and more bony surfaces into the rubbing process. The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is miscalculation of body’s natural defense system. This gives raise the joint lining to swell and pain. It also spreads to the surrounding tissues. Uric acid deposition in the joint spaces causes inflammation and pain in the joint.

JRA is genetically determined.

The modern concept of treating arthritis is to control the pain as to maintain a healthy, normal life and management of the deformity if any. It is important to understand the specific arthritis symptoms.

There are some drugs that can modify the disease process of Rheumatic fever but do not offer a cure for arthritis. But once arthritis is there, we have to stick to the basic principle of pain management.

The first thing to treat arthritis is lifestyle modification. Arthritic joints become weak and can not bear the weight that it was used to. So, reduction of weight is the first target area. Reduction of weight reduces the load in the joint and improves its function.

Arthritic patients tend to work less due to pain and sedentary lifestyle is predisposing factor for other diseases like hypertension, Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease, Dyslipidemia etc. To combat this, light, free hand exercise is offered initially. Gradually, the method and frequency are changed that suits the patient.

Another effective and age old means to lower the pain is to apply temperature. Hot fomentation and hot water bath have a soothing effect over the tissues. Many people say this technique is the closest they get to an arthritis cure.

Normally the best arthritis cure is to keep the body stress free, which is critical to eliminate inflammation. Arthritis symptoms are sometimes not correct the first time they are discovered. Therefore, further tests may be needed to determine the best modern concept to treat different forms of arthritis.

Sometimes, cold compress may produce better analgesia (relieve of pain) than application of heat. That again depends upon the disease profile. Often, the patients suffering from arthritis become so crippled by pain, they tend to avoid the directions given by the doctor.

This includes the exercise part also. These patients need to be reassured, encouraged to accept the situation and to be injected moral support. They also need appropriate supervision towards suitable pain relief.

The first line of medication is still the Non Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Ketorolac are among the most preferred analgesics used by the rheumatologists.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors like Celecoxib, Rofecoxib and Valdecoxib have proven their worth for effective pain relief without increasing the gastric acid output, thus minimizing the acid peptic disorder. The invasive methods include intra articular injection of Steroids (Triamcenolone- Kenacort™) and Hyaluronan. They produce valuable pain relief for a longer duration.

There is virtually NO CURE for Arthritis. Believe me, if you come across any website or anybody who claims that your arthritis will be completely cured by their management, you are in the wrong hands. Please do not pay attention to them and follow the advices given by your doctor.

By: Jack Harmon

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