Understanding arthritis symptoms and treatments

Arthritis has a variety of symptoms and treatment options, and medical practitioners employ treatment depending on the type of arthritis. Discover the basics of arthritis, and what your best options are if you're affected.

Although arthritis is more prevalent in women, particularly those who are overweight, it also affects a significant number of men. The condition generally affects adults over the age of 65. It comes in over 100 dissimilar variants and may, in rare cases, develop in children. Some of the most common variants of arthritis include osteoarthritis, psoriatic and rheumatoid.

It is common for practitioners to use X-rays, blood tests and physical examinations to identify the type of arthritis involved. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness are rife among sufferers, particularly in the mornings. Some experience a significant reduction in range of motion in addition to redness of skin on the joint.

Osteoarthritis affects more people than any other form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease caused by a variety of factors, including age and trauma on the joint or infection. Pain experienced by sufferers is usually constant and localized to the affected area, typically the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis tends to show signs through loss of appetite and fatigue. This is due to the immune system's reaction to inflammation. In some cases, you may experience mild fever or become anemic (reduction of red blood cells). Deformity is also possible in severe cases if left untreated.

Additional symptoms occurring in different types of arthritis include weight loss, malaise, inability to use affected joint, tenderness, muscle weakness and loss of flexibility.

The main aim of treatment is to alleviate pain and prevent damage to the affected joint. Doctors also strive to improve joint function by prescribing medications that reduce inflammation, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

However, NSAIDs are associated with higher risk of a heart attack or stroke and may upset your stomach. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally used to control pain, but are not effective against inflammation.

It's common for doctors to prescribe menthol or capsaicin creams as a way to counteract pain signal transmission. If you're suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may opt for corticosteroids or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These medications have the capacity to suppress the immune system.

In extreme cases, practitioners will replace your joint with an artificial one.

Physical therapy is useful for improving joint function since it helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joint.

Doctors advise patients to lose weight as a means of ameliorating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. You should avoid movements and positions that strain joints and try to relieve affected joints by using stronger ones. Use of braces or supports also helps protect affected joints.

While arthritis can be a most unwelcome addition to your life, by better understanding its symptoms and treatments, you can hopefully find ways to alleviate the discomfort.