Arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition that manifests in hundreds of different ways. It may affect people of all ages, sex, gender, race, etc and is considered the leading cause of disability in America. It has affected more than 50 million of adults and appears in one form or the other in approximately 300,000 children. The diversity of signs leaves many people asking, doctor what is arthritis?
Arthritic condition manifests when local joint condition changes when it is osteoarthritis but pain will manifest in the entire body when it is rheumatic. The most common cause is degeneration of cartilage between bones that leaves them exposed to rub on each other. This causes fluid to build up on the area causing a lot of pain.
The pain appears at any age or time depending on how much the cartilage has worn out. The extent o f wear for the cartilage depends on how far the disease has progressed, the heredity fact and whether you have an injury. Your health condition will also be a factor. Women are the most affected. The early signs include stiffness when you move with itching and soreness even as you perform ordinary chores.
Abnormally painful joints are an indicator of early stages of arthritic attack. The discomfort is usually recurring as the affected joints begin to swell. The severity of attack will depend on several factors, including how healthy you are and the management steps you are taking to relief pain.
Arthritic pain is best diagnosed by your physician who you should seen whenever you experience any of the symptoms above. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or rheumatologist to get a confirmatory test. The levels of inflammation around your joints and blood will be examined. There are antibodies that will also be tested to confirm the actual type of inflammation afflicting your joints or body.
There is no cure for arthritis yet but the condition can effectively be managed. Management will depend on the type affecting your body. Among the recommended management tips is resting after work, cold and hot therapies, regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight and strengthening joint muscles through additional support. Pain can be managed through over-the-counter drugs. You should also avoid excessive repetitive movements.
Extreme cases can be handled through surgery. The joints are replaced using artificial ones, with the hips and knees being the main beneficiaries of these surgeries. Hip and knee replacement are part of the pain management surgeries targeting arthritic pain. Joint fusion is also an option targeting fingers and the wrist but will be recommended by the doctor. Fusion locks the joint such that adjacent bones become one.
Management of arthritis is important in relieving the pain. You need such lifestyle changes as reducing your weight, eating a healthy diet as well as choosing foods with more antioxidants. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables and wild herbs. There are foods like fish and nuts that are known to reduce inflammation. Avoid dairy products, processed foods, fried foods and a lot of meat to reduce the pain.
Arthritic condition manifests when local joint condition changes when it is osteoarthritis but pain will manifest in the entire body when it is rheumatic. The most common cause is degeneration of cartilage between bones that leaves them exposed to rub on each other. This causes fluid to build up on the area causing a lot of pain.
The pain appears at any age or time depending on how much the cartilage has worn out. The extent o f wear for the cartilage depends on how far the disease has progressed, the heredity fact and whether you have an injury. Your health condition will also be a factor. Women are the most affected. The early signs include stiffness when you move with itching and soreness even as you perform ordinary chores.
Abnormally painful joints are an indicator of early stages of arthritic attack. The discomfort is usually recurring as the affected joints begin to swell. The severity of attack will depend on several factors, including how healthy you are and the management steps you are taking to relief pain.
Arthritic pain is best diagnosed by your physician who you should seen whenever you experience any of the symptoms above. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or rheumatologist to get a confirmatory test. The levels of inflammation around your joints and blood will be examined. There are antibodies that will also be tested to confirm the actual type of inflammation afflicting your joints or body.
There is no cure for arthritis yet but the condition can effectively be managed. Management will depend on the type affecting your body. Among the recommended management tips is resting after work, cold and hot therapies, regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight and strengthening joint muscles through additional support. Pain can be managed through over-the-counter drugs. You should also avoid excessive repetitive movements.
Extreme cases can be handled through surgery. The joints are replaced using artificial ones, with the hips and knees being the main beneficiaries of these surgeries. Hip and knee replacement are part of the pain management surgeries targeting arthritic pain. Joint fusion is also an option targeting fingers and the wrist but will be recommended by the doctor. Fusion locks the joint such that adjacent bones become one.
Management of arthritis is important in relieving the pain. You need such lifestyle changes as reducing your weight, eating a healthy diet as well as choosing foods with more antioxidants. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables and wild herbs. There are foods like fish and nuts that are known to reduce inflammation. Avoid dairy products, processed foods, fried foods and a lot of meat to reduce the pain.
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