Friday 12 August 2016

How To Relieve Arthritis Pain

By Roberta Smith


Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes inflammation in one or several joints. It has been found that there are more than different kinds of this disease in humans and animals. This disease is characterized by pain in the affected regions as the main feature. Arthritis pain is a serious condition that affects many people in the world, especially the elderly and people within middle ages.

Generally, there are more than 100 varieties of this disease in existence today. Major types are gout, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, septic, and juvenile idiopathic. Most people suffer from the osteoarthritis variety. Arthritis occurs as the primary cause of aching in joints in many cases. However, it also occurs as a secondary cause with some other disease being the major cause of discomfort. Celiac disease, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, psoriasis, hepatitis, Lyme disease, systemic lupus erythematous, wipple disease, and familial Mediterranean fever are some example of diseases that may occur as the primary causes of aching in joints.

Statistics indicate that there was a 45 percent increase in disability caused by musculoskeletal disorders within the period between 1990 and 2010. Osteoarthritis was found to be the fastest growing cause of disability of all the disorders. Data from Africa was not conclusive and was hugely underestimated. The huge increase in disabilities was attributed to several different factors.

This medical condition has several symptoms by which it can be detected. The symptoms may vary slightly among the various types that have been noticed so far. However, pain remains to be a common symptom in all types of arthritis. Other common symptoms are stiffness, swelling and aching of joints. Some varieties of the disease affect other organs in the body resulting in various symptoms.

Besides the symptoms mentioned above, patients may feel fatigued, and unable to walk because of stiffness in joints. Weight loss and poor sleep are also major symptoms associated with the condition together with muscle pains and aches. Areas around the affected joints become tender and inflamed. As the condition advances, secondary symptoms may result. For instance, inability to move or exercise often leads to muscle weakness, decreased aerobic fitness, and loss of flexibility.

Diagnosis is usually made by clinical examination by a qualified health practitioner. Diagnostic results from clinical examination is often supported by other tests like blood tests and radiology. The kind of diagnostic test used depends on the variety suspected to be present. Diagnosis is hugely guided by the history of the disease.

Diagnostic results are needed in order to decide what treatment plan is used. A treatment plan can only be decided after the specific type of arthritis is determined. Treatment varies with the type of the disease one is suffering from. Major treatment options available include medications, orthopedic bracing, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy. Eroding forms of the disease may require joint replacement surgery to be done.

Medications that reduce inflammation help to relieve pain. Besides relieving pains, reduction in inflammation also slows the rate at which joint damage occurs. In some varieties, pain may be relieved by taking a shower or mild exercise. No known cure has been found for Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.




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