A Guide On Arthritis And How To Cope With It
Did you know there are over 100 types of arthritis? The word “arthritis” itself means “inflammation of the joints” and is a blanket term encompassing everything from gout, hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, to osteoporosis, lyme disease and still’s disease. Today, arthritis is the leading cause of disability for senior citizens over 55 and is said to afflict 70 million (1 in 3) Americans.
How do you know if you have arthritis? While symptoms and severity vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are: pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness and warmth. Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive stiffness without swelling, chills or fever. Rheumatoid arthritis is the painful swelling, inflammation and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs and wrists, which are prevalent on both sides of the body and are usually worse in the morning. Children with on-off fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and a blotchy rash on the arms and legs might have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. You should call the doctor if symptoms appear suddenly, or if they are accompanied by a fever or rash.
There are several common misconceptions about arthritis. Myth # 1 is that every day is the same for patients. In reality, this form of chronic pain comes and goes, which makes it difficult for diagnosis. Myth # 2 is that only older people have arthritis. However, in some cases, even children have this type of pain. Myth # 3 is that arthritis is caused by cold, wet weather or a poor diet. In reality, there are no easy cause-and-effect connections, but contributing factors include: age, weight, anatomy, infection of the joint and trauma. Lastly, some believe that joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) should be avoided for as long as possible. Yet the surgery has helped millions of Americans and is seen as a viable option when exercise, physical therapy and medication fail.
Research has shown that early treatment prevents many arthritis sufferers from becoming deformed, long-term disabled or overwhelmed with pain. Treatment includes disease modifying drugs (DMARDs like Methotrexate, Azulfidine or Arava), NSAIDs and corticosteroids. While a complete cure isn’t yet available, these drugs help manage the pain symptoms and restore mobility. Physical therapy can give additional assistance for pain management as well.