Treatment Options For Arthritis Pain

By Roberta Smith


Arthritis as a disorder of the joints may affect multiple joints in the same patient simultaneously. Various varieties of the condition have been found to affect both animals and human beings. Pain is a key distinguishing feature of this medical condition by which it may be identified. People who suffer from the condition have the quality of their lives adversely affected. Arthritis pain is a common problem in all ages of people, but it show higher prevalence in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

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.

In the years between 1990 and 2010, statistics show that disability resulting from musculoskeletal disorders rose by a whole forty-five percent. The highest contributor to this increase was osteoarthritis. The data has a high level of accuracy in all the continents except Africa where most of the data was underestimated, leading to inconclusive results. Many factors contributed to the huge increase in these disabilities.

The condition can be identified by the many symptoms that accompany it. Symptoms usually differ from one variety to another. However, pain characterizes virtually all the arthripides. The pains are characterized differently in each variety. Aching, stiffness, and swelling of joints are the other common symptoms patients experience. Other symptoms usually results if the condition is one that affects other organs.

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 performed by a qualified health practitioner through clinical examination. Other diagnostic tests such as blood tests and radiology may be used together with the examination to ascertain the variety one is suffering from. Diagnosis relies on the type. The history of the disease also forms a strong basis for diagnosis.

The diagnostic results are based upon to formulate treatment plans. Treatment plans are determined only after knowing which variety one has. This is due to the fact that various varieties are treated with different treatments. Medications, physical therapy, orthopedic bracing, and lifestyle changes are among the common treatment options available. Joint replacement surgery is used if the condition is causing erosion of joints.

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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