Blog #15-Disease Blog: Arthritis

By definition, arthritis means "joint inflammation," and it's used to describe more than 100 different diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue.

Arthritis can affect people differently. It's common in adults 65 and older, but it can affect people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. In fact, about 1 out of every 5 adults in the United States — around 50 million people — has reported being diagnosed by their doctor with some form of arthritis.

Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body:

·         Osteoarthritis pain, stiffness, or inflammation most frequently appears in the hips, knees, and hands.

·         Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the hands and wrists but can also affect areas of the body other than the joints.Even though they have these differences, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis often share common symptoms:

·         Joint pain

·         Stiffness

·         Inflammation or swelling

Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis, is caused by normal wear and tear throughout life; this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue can be exacerbated by an infection or injury to the joints. The risk of developing osteoarthritis may be higher if you have a family history of the disease. Simple Ways to Protect Your Joints

Arthritis relief doesn't always have to come from a bottle. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and using special devices to help you get around can also have a big impact on your symptoms.

Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can help take pressure off your joints. 

People with gout should avoid alcohol and foods that are high in purines, and that includes organ meats (liver, kidney), dried beans, sardines, anchovies, asparagus, and mushrooms. When the body breaks down purines, it produces uric acid, and excess uric acid causes painful crystals to deposit in the joints. Making these changes may reduce flare ups, but they almost never cure the condition

Relieving Stiff Joints With Exercise

When you're in pain, the last thing you may want to do is exercise, but it's actually one of the best things you can do for your joints. Aerobic, strength-training, and stretching exercises can all be helpful. Work with your doctor to learn what exercises are safe for you to do. Physical therapy is also a common part of treatment in people with OA. Regular exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight.

Medications

Pain Relievers

You're probably familiar with a group of medications known asnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs interfere with chemicals called prostaglandins in the body, which trigger pain, inflammation, and fever. Some NSAIDs are available over-the-counter for relief of pain and fever at your local drugstore, including ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. There are also many other prescription NSAIDs available such as celecoxib (Celebrex), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril); you'll need a prescription from your doctor.