|
|
|
Arthritis Treatment - Symptoms
Joints might crack suddenly, like knees upon standing.
Other joints may be stiff and creak.
Maybe pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar ... what’s it all about?
Let’s look at the basics and learn more.
Arthritis actually means “joint inflammation” and has over 100 related conditions or type / forms of disease ...
Left untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be undone or reversed. So early detection and arthritis treatment are important.
Arthritis Treatment - Types
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can be osteoarthritis.
What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands often, too.
And only in later stages will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.
The second type, rheumatoid arthritis, refers to the body’s immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, this condition most often starts in a person’s hands, wrists and feet. Then it advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.
Similar symptoms include:
And both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.
Differences Between Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis
A difference in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to note is with swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, people report “soft and squishy” swelling. While with osteoarthritis, people report “hard and bony” swelling.
Another difference is that a person is more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis if a sibling or parent had it. A person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis.
There is no specific age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every age group, it seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.
And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of osteoarthritis cases (or just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of rheumatoid arthritis cases occur with women.
People with excess weight tend to develop osteoarthritis, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years of age.
However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.
Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies.
Arthritis Treatments and Relief Aids
Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options and alternatives ... the four main types of arthritis treatment aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude and rest.
And each will be discussed further in subsequent sections, because education can play a huge role to dispel “old wives tales” and myths that “nothing can be done about arthritis.”
Notable is that today, only a small percentage of those afflicted with arthritis become crippled.
... and most never need canes, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory devices.
Also note if you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Because healthcare providers can help to determine if the symptoms are not something else like a virus or tendonitis or other similar problem that could potentially worsen if left untreated.
There are many types of arthritis treatment available today that can provide relief from arthritic pain.
About | News | Books | Causes | Diets | Exercise | Medication | Organizations | Pets Remedies | Resources | Self Care | Site Map | Surgery | Symptoms | Types |
Legal Disclaimer The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.
Copyright© 2005 Arthritis-Health-News.com. All Rights Reserved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
