Arthritis
| Loosely defined, arthritis is a medical condition related to
joint comfort, mobility and health. A joint that is affected with
arthritis may experience both minor problems (swelling, stiffness,
discomfort) as well as major problems (deformity, loss of use and
severe pain). While arthritis can be debilitating, it can be both managed and prevented. There are many types of arthritis and each type presents in a different manner and for different reasons. nlm.nih.gov/ provides more information about the types of arthritis. Because there are many different types of arthritis, there is no common cause for the dysfunction and no ‘average patient.’ Arthritis can affect adults as well as juveniles with age and lifestyle specific conditions. Those who are at most risk are persons who place their joints under unusual stress. These types of stress can come from being overweight and from regularly participating in high impact activities. |
Additionally, persons who have previously injured a joint have a
higher chance of experiencing arthritis. More information about the
risk factors of arthritis can be found at
arthritis.about.com. Because arthritis affects the
joints, it’s root cause lies in these areas as well. Arthritis and
the discomfort, stiffness and deformity it may cause are the result
of loss of cartilage that separates the bones that form the joints.
Most joints in the body (e.g., those found in the hands, legs, arms,
etc.) consist of two bones that come together to form the joint. The
joint is separated by a layer of cartilage that forms a barrier
between the two bones. Without this barrier present, inflammation
and the whole gamut of arthritis-related problems can start because
there is nothing to prevent the bones from rubbing together. The
cartilage barrier can be worn down from overuse of the joint via
exercise, because the joint is ‘worn out,’ because of injury to the
joint, or from the patient’s immune system breaking down the
cartilage (i.e., an autoimmune disease).
For a checklist of arthritis symptoms, visit www.arthritis.com.
While there are some individuals who will not seek treatment, those
who do will find that there are many types of treatment available.
These treatments can fall into one of four broad categories:
exercise, non-medicinal, medicinal, and surgical.
Many patients who experience the effects of arthritis believe that
exercise will only make their condition worse. The pain they feel
make them stay off the joint or ‘favor’ it. While high-impact
exercise will certainly damage a joint, low impact strength training
an aerobic exercises can help to improve the health and strength of
the joint. If this solution fails, the patient can begin taking
several non-medicinal supplements. These include chondroitin and
glucosamine, which have been shown to decrease the problems
associated with arthritis in some patients.
If these solutions fail to provide the return to normalcy the
patient is looking for, a doctor can prescribe a medicine regimen to
help reduce suffering an increase joint function. Depending on the
level of function and potential for future damage the joint is shown
to have, the doctor may want to start with an over the counter pain
medicine such as acetaminophen or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID).
Failing this, the doctor may prescribe drugs that will stop or slow
the body from producing some product that contributes to arthritis.
These drugs usually either treat the underlying cause of the
arthritis or stop the body from producing excess immune system or
inflammatory agents
A final note: it is much easier to prevent arthritis than it is to
treat it. Regular exercise, good nutrition and communication with
one’s doctor can all lead to lower risks of experiences arthritis in
the future. The
Arthritis Foundation is a great Internet source of information
about arthritis.
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