Arthritis symptoms occur when one of over 100 rheumatic diseases causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and some internal organs. Arthritis treatments vary depending on the degrees of pain that the patient is suffering. The two most common types of arthritis which result in the classic painful symptoms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain is the body's way of telling a person something is wrong. There are two main types of pain sensations: acute and chronic. Arthritis therapies that are advised for acute pain, which is temporary, include various medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. Other temporary treatments for arthritis include hot and cold compresses, joint protections, massages, and acupuncture. Chronic pain, mild to severe, can last a lifetime. More than 40 million Americans suffer with chronic arthritis symptoms that interfere with daily activities. Osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 16 million Americans and rheumatoid is second most common, affecting 2.1million Americans.
In order to understand how to develop appropriate medical options, a description and interpretation of pain for each individual suffering from the disease is needed. Pain results when there is an inflammation of a tissue that lines the joints (tendons, ligaments, muscles strain, fatigue). The symptoms tend to vary quite a bit from person to person. Variables that can affect not only the levels of pain, but the appropriate treatment therapy options include: depression, anxiety, and hypersensitivity. Long term arthritis options for pain management primarily focus on a plethora of different medications (NSAID's, DMARD's, and Corticosteroids). Weight reduction certainly helps with the inflammation levels. Appropriate exercise and sometimes even surgery can be options for very severe pain. It is important for all those diagnosed with arthritis; to accurately describe the sensations of pain they feel and keep a record of times throughout the day, or specific seasons they are affected most. Many times environmental factors play a large role in the level of pain a person may feel.
NSAID's are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs given as arthritis treatments. This class of drugs includes aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce pain. Those that are showing stronger pain symptoms are prescribed DMARD's. These are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs used as arthritis treatments when NSAID's do not work. These medications include: methotrexate, hydroxychloquine, penicillamine, and gold injections. The last medicinal therapy options include corticosteriods, which are very effective hormones taken by mouth or injection. These types of arthritis treatments should only be used on those with chronic arthritis symptoms once or twice per year. Frequent injections can cause extreme damage to the cartilage. Weight reduction is considered an important aspect in treating those with painful symptoms, especially losing weight in areas that have weight bearing joints. Exercise is also highly recommended. Such activities as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stretching and other range-of-motion exercises should be done as long as they do not include weight bearing exercises.
In addition to the regular arthritis options that are commonly prescribed, all arthritis sufferers should eat a healthy diet and get 8-10 hours of sleep. In addition to that, the patient should keep a daily diary of not only pain changes, but mood changes as well. The physician can review these changes and may be able to develop appropriate treatments specific to certain times of the day that will benefit the patient in managing their pain. Choosing a caring physician that is empathetic to sufferers of acute or chronic pain is recommended. Patients are encouraged to join a support group for others who suffer from arthritis, and to get more ideas on managing the illness. By joining an arthritis support group, members will stay informed about new research on managing arthritis pain. The newest medical options can also be found through the information presented at arthritis support groups.
Those that suffer with painful symptoms have a hard time planning ahead for certain events and for other activities that involve leaving the home. They may never know what causes the inflammations. Some have figured out that either dry heat or humidity may encourage a pain flare up. Many have opted to relocate to climates that are more conducive for their needs. Others have tried various methods such as acupuncture which is performed by a licensed acupuncture therapist by inserting needles at specific points on the body. These needles stimulate the release of natural, pain-relieving chemicals produced by the brain or nervous system. Sometimes a massage can help as well by a light stroke or knead of a painful muscle. This will increase the blood flow and bring warmth to the stressed joint area. Therapies involving joint protection use a splint or brace to allow joints to rest and to protect them from injury. A physical therapist or physician can make appropriate recommendations. No matter what therapy is selected, prayer must always be the first action of an arthritis sufferer. "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." (Psalm 138:7)
In order to understand how to develop appropriate medical options, a description and interpretation of pain for each individual suffering from the disease is needed. Pain results when there is an inflammation of a tissue that lines the joints (tendons, ligaments, muscles strain, fatigue). The symptoms tend to vary quite a bit from person to person. Variables that can affect not only the levels of pain, but the appropriate treatment therapy options include: depression, anxiety, and hypersensitivity. Long term arthritis options for pain management primarily focus on a plethora of different medications (NSAID's, DMARD's, and Corticosteroids). Weight reduction certainly helps with the inflammation levels. Appropriate exercise and sometimes even surgery can be options for very severe pain. It is important for all those diagnosed with arthritis; to accurately describe the sensations of pain they feel and keep a record of times throughout the day, or specific seasons they are affected most. Many times environmental factors play a large role in the level of pain a person may feel.
NSAID's are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs given as arthritis treatments. This class of drugs includes aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce pain. Those that are showing stronger pain symptoms are prescribed DMARD's. These are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs used as arthritis treatments when NSAID's do not work. These medications include: methotrexate, hydroxychloquine, penicillamine, and gold injections. The last medicinal therapy options include corticosteriods, which are very effective hormones taken by mouth or injection. These types of arthritis treatments should only be used on those with chronic arthritis symptoms once or twice per year. Frequent injections can cause extreme damage to the cartilage. Weight reduction is considered an important aspect in treating those with painful symptoms, especially losing weight in areas that have weight bearing joints. Exercise is also highly recommended. Such activities as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stretching and other range-of-motion exercises should be done as long as they do not include weight bearing exercises.
In addition to the regular arthritis options that are commonly prescribed, all arthritis sufferers should eat a healthy diet and get 8-10 hours of sleep. In addition to that, the patient should keep a daily diary of not only pain changes, but mood changes as well. The physician can review these changes and may be able to develop appropriate treatments specific to certain times of the day that will benefit the patient in managing their pain. Choosing a caring physician that is empathetic to sufferers of acute or chronic pain is recommended. Patients are encouraged to join a support group for others who suffer from arthritis, and to get more ideas on managing the illness. By joining an arthritis support group, members will stay informed about new research on managing arthritis pain. The newest medical options can also be found through the information presented at arthritis support groups.
Those that suffer with painful symptoms have a hard time planning ahead for certain events and for other activities that involve leaving the home. They may never know what causes the inflammations. Some have figured out that either dry heat or humidity may encourage a pain flare up. Many have opted to relocate to climates that are more conducive for their needs. Others have tried various methods such as acupuncture which is performed by a licensed acupuncture therapist by inserting needles at specific points on the body. These needles stimulate the release of natural, pain-relieving chemicals produced by the brain or nervous system. Sometimes a massage can help as well by a light stroke or knead of a painful muscle. This will increase the blood flow and bring warmth to the stressed joint area. Therapies involving joint protection use a splint or brace to allow joints to rest and to protect them from injury. A physical therapist or physician can make appropriate recommendations. No matter what therapy is selected, prayer must always be the first action of an arthritis sufferer. "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." (Psalm 138:7)
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