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> Arthritis TreatmentArthritisWhile dinosaurs occasionally hobbled with primary ankle (kaki) osteoarthritis, the radiographs of Egyptian mummies also displayed evidences of Arthritis in several joints. Cleopatra reportedly limped for a few seconds when brought before Julius Caesar; the ancestry of this distressing condition is beyond all speculation. In fact, the appearance of arthritis in humans has been dated back to 4500BC. Arthritis is a group of conditions that involve steady damage to the joints in our body, causing pain and possible disability. Arthritis is the number 1 cause of disability in people over the age of 55. There are several forms of arthritis, some of which are much more common than others. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused by trauma of the joint, degeneration of natural lubricants in the joint, infection, age or a combination of all the factors. Emerging evidence indicates sub-normal anatomy as a cause for the early development of the disease. Psoriatic arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are forms of autoimmune diseases in which the system attacks itself by mistake or while following other pseudo defensive procedures. While Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection, Gouty arthritis is a result of Uric acid crystal deposition in the joint. With so many types of known arthritis, much study has gone into the treatment and possible cure for arthritis.
Regardless of the type of arthritis, the predominating symptom for all of them is the pain. Though the pain patterns differ depending on the arthritides and the location, the pain is usually acute, and can cause debilitative pain in some sufferers. Arthritis treatment, particularly at an early stage, can offer the much needed arthritis pain relief. Rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages is worse in the mornings – it is associated with stiffness in the joints that often go away after the morning shower. Psoriatic arthritis on the other hand is rather relentless. Many people will feel the onset of arthritis pain in wet climates – some can even predict the weather with the onset of arthritis pain. Many people move to warm dry climates for both arthritis and respiratory illnesses. As mentioned, arthritis pain can lead to debilitation, which in turn exacerbates the disability through entropy of the muscles and tendons surrounding the joints. This cycle effect is particularly prevalent in seniors. If you notice pain in any or all of your joints, it is always recommended to see your physician, especially if the pain persists. Inflammation due to injury can have the exact symptoms of arthritis, but can also cause arthritis which is why a physician’s visit is equally important if the pain persists.
Diagnosis therefore, depends on various factors that include the pattern of joint involvement, speed and the time of onset, severity of the tenderness, symmetry of symptoms, aggravating or relieving agents as well as other systematic symptoms. Physical examination and radiographic analysis confirms the diagnosis in most cases. Arthritis treatment starts with the diagnosis of the condition. Diagnosis is of paramount importance in all cases of arthritis
as similar symptoms are manifest in a number illness like Multiple
myeloma, Osteoporosis, Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and ‘Fifth
disease’. Because there are so many types of arthritis, treatment options vary. Occupational and physical therapy is almost always recommended at least for partial treatment. The exercising of the affected joint(s) has shown to significantly decrease pain on a long term basis. If the arthritis is caused by a disease, such as an inflammatory disease, treatments targeting the root disease are always recommended. Weight control and dietary supplements for a healthy lifestyle are a good way to keep your in the best condition and therefore giving the best chance of treating the disease. In most cases, pain relievers are prescribed for those with acute pain. Simple tasks that seem unbearable due to arthritis can be remedied with the use of pain killing ingredients. However, these do not always need to be synthetic or over the counter. There are many natural remedies that have been used for centuries (even in Cleopatra’s era) that are proven to reduce inflammation and pain. Natural remedies are recommended as they tend to have no side effects and usually have other “side-benefits”. Arthroplasty, or Joint Replacement Surgery, is a drastic measure
but can provide a complete cure for people suffering from acute
or eroding arthritis in a particular joint. For those who suffer
from arthritis in multiple joints, this may not be the best solution.
Knee joint replacement, in most developing countries, is a routine
surgical procedure, and patients can expect to go home the same
day completely relieved of their arthritis pain. If you suffer from arthritis or severe joint pain, always see your
doctor. Not only are there many different types of arthritis (and
diagnosis can be tricky at best for an amateur), there are also
many diseases that can cause the onset of arthritis. Needless to
say, simply treating the ‘pain’ will not cure the root
disease. Your doctor will be able to tell you the type of arthritis
you have (if any) and will be able to recommend multiple treatment
types. If your doctor only recommends one treatment type (such as
a prescription), always get a second opinion. Always start by regularly
exercising the joint and looking for natural arthritis medicines.
Arthritis Foundation: US National Library of Medicine: National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion: |
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