Arthritis Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

Also known as degenerative joint disease, Osteoarthritis is a type or arthritis that involves degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. Generally, it affects the fingers or the hands, spine, feet, thumb, neck, large toe and large weight bearing joints such as the knees and the hips.

A protein substance known as the cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that serves as a “cushion” between the bones of the joints which could be flexible or can easily change its shape when flattened, compressed or pressed together. But when a person develops osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes stiff, inelastic and lessens the shock absorbing ability, which causes pain and in some cases, causes the bone to rub each other.

This disease is mainly due to wear and tear and it develops as age increases. More women can get osteoarthritis than men. However, people also who are in their 20s and 30s could also get osteoarthritis. Development of osteoarthritis is caused by a lot of factors. These include heredity, obesity, injury and joint overuse.

Symptoms include joint ache and soreness when moving, pain after overuse or inactivity for a long period of time, body enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers which could either be painful or not, and joint fluid accumulation and swelling.

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on a combination of factors such as the description of symptoms, the location and pattern of pain, and when needed, certain physical examination findings. Sometimes blood tests and X-rays are to be done to determine further the type of arthritis which helps in the confirmation of the diagnosis. Joint aspiration could also be done if there is an accumulation of fluid in the joints for the purpose of ruling out other diseases.

Treatment for osteoarthritis would always depend again on several factors like activities, age, occupation, medical history, overall health, location of arthritis, and severity of the condition. It is commonly treated through physical therapy that involves strengthening exercises for the muscles, oral or intravenous medications, use of crutches or canes and weight control. Hot and cold compress can be applied to the painful joint.

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are to be given as medications. These drugs include Tylenol or acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or Celebrex. Topical creams, sprays, and rubs may be applied over the affected areas for pain relief. Steroids can also be injected directly into the joint but these drugs can lead to bone and cartilage weakness and deterioration if used in a long period of time. Acupuncture and bioelectric therapy can also be of great help in the relief of pain. But when the pain is severe, narcotics is to be administered however none of these drugs can lessen the development of joint damage due to osteoarthritis. Surgery is to be considered when pain is uncontrollable after all the mentioned medications and treatment is given or when the pain limits the patient from doing normal daily activities.

Prevention of osteoarthritis of the knees, reduction of stress on weight-bearing joints and also reduction of pain in affected joints can be achieved when you maintain your recommended weight. Sometimes losing weight could be deemed necessary for pain and stress relief in the joints. Gentle exercises like swimming or walking on flat surfaces is also important to improve joint mobility and muscle strengthening around the joints.

It is best to consult a physician for further assessment, correct administration of drugs and treatment in the prevention of osteoarthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease and a type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by inflammation of the skin known as psoriasis and inflammation of the joints known as arthritis. It affects 10-30% of the Caucasian population in the United States. Psoriasis features patchy, raised, redness of skin inflammation with scaling, thickness, and dryness and nail abnormalities.

Symptoms include discomfort, stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling or tenderness in one or more joints; joints decreased range of motion; morning stiffness and fatigue; silver or gray scaly spots on the scalp, knees, elbows, or the lower spine; inflammation or stiffness in the lower back, knees or ankles, wrists, or swelling in the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail known as dactylitis; small depressions or pitting of the nails; detachment of fingernails or toenails; enthesitis; and inflammation of the eye.

Symmetric psoriatic arthritis, asymmetric psoriatic arthritis, distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP), spondylitis and arthritis mutilans are among the five types of psoriatic arthritis. Symmetric arthritis affects the same joints and in matching pairs on both sides of the body, while Asymmetric arthritis involves one to three parts of the body like the knee, hip, or one or more fingers. Distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis is sometimes confused with osteoarthritis because it mainly affects small joints in toes and fingers that are nearer to the nail. Affecting the spinal column is spondylitis which causes neck, spinal vertebrae, lower back and pelvic area stiffness and inflammation. It also attacks connective tissue ligaments or may also be the cause of arthritic diseases affecting joints in the arms, legs, hips or feet. Last type of psoriatic arthritis is the arthritis mutilans which happens to be a destructive, deforming and severe form of psoriatic arthritis. This type of psoriatic arthritis is uncommon.

Psoriatic arthritis affects men and women equally and can progress at any age affecting mostly in people between their 30s and 50s. Genetic, immune system, infection and physical trauma are some of the factors causing psoriatic arthritis.
The diagnosis of the disease depends on the appearance of symptoms, complete evaluation of medical history, blood studies, physical examination and X-rays of the joints.

Medications for symptoms relief would include any combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) along with misoprostol (Cytotec). Corticosteroids or steroids like prednisone can be taken orally or by injection to reduce pain and inflammation. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine are given to modify or suppress the immune system which makes the disease process slow. Regular, tailored program of range-of-motion and strengthening exercises like hydrotherapy, recreational exercise, hot and cold therapy is also helpful to alleviate joint stiffness and pain. Synovectomy, a surgical procedure to restore joint function may be necessary when all other medications and treatments fail. Joint fusions can also be performed for pain relief that can no longer be controlled with treatment thus allowing the person to perform again his daily normal activities.

Three techniques which include pacing, conservative joint use and assistive devices such as canes and grab bars can contribute workloads distribution and stress throughout the body. Splinting may also be needed to minimize destruction of the joints.

Cure for psoriatic arthritis has not yet been discovered, however, understanding the disorder, personal observation and learning from it, exercise and assertive treatment has been proven to impede disability which lessens discomfort, stress and fatigue.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that commonly takes place on both sides of the body joints such as hands, wrists, or knees which characterizes the symmetry from other types of arthritis. It affects commonly in women but when men are affected, it tends to be severe when they have it.

Basically, rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joints producing inflammatory synovitis that advances to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. It may affect many tissues and organs, and can also produce diffuse inflammation in the lungs, eyes, heart, blood, nerves and also nodular lesions in subcutaneous tissue under the skin. It may affect each person differently that some could have a gradual development of symptoms over several years, while others may be quicker, and some would have it for a time and then enter into a remission stage. Symptoms include joint pain and swelling, stiffness especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods, and fatigue.

Environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors are being combined and considered to be the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. There could be something that causes the immune system to attack the joints and at times other organs in the body. It could either be a virus or bacteria, however, some theories suggest that smoking could also lead to the progression of the disease.

Based on a combination of factors, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis includes the specific location and symmetry of painful joints, especially the hand joints; the presence of joint stiffness in the morning; presence of bumps and nodules under the skin which is known as rheumatoid nodules; results of X-ray tests that suggest rheumatoid arthritis; and positive results of a blood test called the rheumatoid factor which is present in most people. Cylic citrulline antibody test is a more recent and more specific blood test for rheumatoid arthritis.

Medications, rest and exercise, and surgery to correct the damage of the joint are few of the ways in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Factors such as the patient’s age, medical history, severity of the arthritis and overall health are to be considered in the treatment process.

Drugs to be administered for the prevention of the disease’s advancement are also available. They are anti-inflammatory painkiller drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Another is topical pain relievers which are being applied directly to the skin. Next are corticosteroids such as prednisone and lastly, narcotic pain relievers.

Strong medications like DMARDs or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are being given to interfere or suppress the immune system’s attack on the joints. Examples of these drugs are Plaquenil, methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Azulfidine and Arava. Surgery could be an alternative when rheumatoid arthritis is not controlled with drugs.

Balanced rest and exercise is essential in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Once regression of inflammation is observed, guided exercise programs should be given to maintain flexibility and mobility of the joints. Even if there is no cure yet, early and assertive treatment has been proven to impede disability caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

You may hear of the word arthritis a lot but not necessarily understand what it is all about. Well, arthritis can be grouped into three categories: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is a term used to describe a number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases found in the joint area. Arthritis can be caused by disease, infection, a defect in the genes, old age, or a number of other reasons. Many people associate arthritis with any pain that includes the body’s movements such as back pain, tendonitis, or any type of discomfort in the joints.

If you know someone who has arthritis you have witnessed just how painfully uncomfortable it can be, depending upon its severity. This is because arthritis inflammation causes inflexibility and puffiness not only in the joint area but in the neighboring tissues as well.

Many people who are facing maturity are being confronted with arthritis. Although there is no cure yet for arthritis there are both conventional and non-conventional methods that make living with arthritis a lot less painful.

Below you will find information on three different types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, describes the pain that can come from a gradual and consistent loss of cartilage in the joint area. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the US and touches the lives of some 21 million adults, primarily the mature. It is also known as the “wear and tear” type of arthritis. This is because after a period of time the cartilage that is found on the end of the bones, think of it as a cushion, wears off. This in turn allows the joints to rub against each other with no cushioning in between joints. Yes, it is as painful as it sounds. Osteoarthritis most commonly includes the joints that bare the heavy lifting throughout ones lifespan, including the spine, knees, and hips, but it is not limited to these areas and can find its way anywhere in the body.

Rheumatoid Arthritis usually impacts individuals between the ages of 25 – 55. Women are affected by this type of arthritis twice as much as men are. It affects 2.1 million Americans and it is characterized by inflammation and pain in particular parts of the body. Areas that includes: hands (knuckles and finger joints), wrists, feet, shoulders, and elbows. People with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to low energy and an inability to sleep. It can also lead to other complications in the body. There is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but early detection can help prevent some of its severity like permanent disability.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or “Still’s disease”, is known when the arthritis has become predictable and systematic. This takes on the characterizations of a day by day fever as well as anemia. This disease can also roll over and effect different parts of the body including the heart, lungs and eyes. One or more joints are pounded with severe pain for weeks at a time, and treatment is no different than with adults. But, children usually recover fully from this disease without any long-lasting effects.