Arthritis Relief And Symptom Identification
According to the Arthritis Foundation, an estimated 46 million people were diagnosed with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms in 2006. That is a staggering 1in 5 adults. Second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability, arthritis is a term applied to a group of conditions where there is damage to the joints in the body.
There are various forms of arthritis, including gouty arthritis which is caused by uric acid crystals in the joint, resulting in inflammation.
Recognize the Symptoms
You should see your doctor if you experience of these symptoms. They could be a sign of arthritis.
* Persistent joint pain * Pain or tenderness in joints. This can be aggravated by activity or movement. * Inflammation of the joints which include stiffness, swelling, redness and warmth. * Deformity of the joint. * Loss of flexibility or range of motion in the joint. * Weightloss that is unexplained. * Fatigue, weakness, lack of energy or general malaise. * Unexplained or non specific fever. * Crackling or grating feeling in the joint, known as crepitus. Popular Treatments for Arthritis There are a variety of popular treatments for arthritis, but it is mainly dependent upon the type of arthritis that you have. NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been traditionally used for treatment, but some side effects do occur with this treatment such as gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. However, coclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, or COX-2 inhibitors, is a new type of NSAID that is effective in treating the arthritis, but has less stomach irritation. Injections - Hyalgen and Synvisc are viscous solutions that are made up of hyaluronan (natural lubricant of the joints) and are injected into the knee joint. They are believed to improve the quality of synovial fluid. With few side effects that include pain at the injection site and temporary pain in the knee, this treatment has been found to be quite effective. DMARDs - This is a class of anti-rheumatic drugs that include methotrexate and sulfasalazine. These drugs have often been credited with altering the course of the disease. They slow inflammation and are a drug that is used early and aggressively in treating arthritis in hopes of slowing the progression of the disease. Biologic Response Modifiers - This class of drugs binds to and blocks the action of a protein that is naturally occurring in the body. This protein, tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, is believed to have a role in the inflammation and damage of the joints due to arthritis. Drugs such as Remicade and methotrexate fall into this class. Biologic Response Modifier - This class of drugs decrease pain and morning stiffness as well as improve joint swelling and tenderness. The drug, Enbrel, is the first biologic response modifier to be approved by the FDA (1996). In 2000, its use was also expanded to include the delay of structural damage. Exercise - Exercise is another proven method of arthritis treatment. There are three primary types of exercise that is recommended for arthritis patients: * Range of motion - moving a joint as far as you comfortable can, then pushing it a little more. * Strengthening - increase muscle strength to help stabilize weak joints. * Endurance - aerobic activities like walking and swimming to help strengthen the heart and lungs while increasing stamina There are many, many arthritis treatments out there. Some are proven, some are not. It is important that you work with your doctor to find the treatment that works best for you. Banish Your Arthritis Condition Naturally - from the comfort and privacy of your own home
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