Of course, yes, you may be having some symptoms of Arthritis without even knowing it. Fortunately, if the condition is not any worse, there’re lots of Heating Pads & Ice Packs that can help soothe the pains that Arthritis brings such as back pains, or even neck pains. Whilst, bearing in mind, that Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints thus using pads warms away the pain.
Usually, it’s okay to use heating pads for brief periods, and it may be safer than other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or other over-the-counter medications. That said, as you’ll come to learn later in this guide, joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the most common symptoms of Arthritis. It occurs mostly in the hands, hips, and knees — some call it “wear and tear.”
Your range of motion may also decrease, and you may experience redness of the skin around the joint. Many people with arthritis notice their symptoms are worse in the morning or late in the evening. In the case of a severe Arthritis condition, you may experience Anorexia (loss of appetite), or tiredness — due to inflammation, and the immune system’s activity.
Those people living in cold areas or experiencing cold seasons are more prone to getting affected. Whereby, you may become anemic — meaning your red blood cell count decreases — or have a slight fever. Some cases of Arthritis can even cause joint deformity if left untreated. On that note, let’s try to learn more about Arthritis and how you can help manage it.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that affects one joint or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Whereby, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are the most common types. Not to mention, the symptoms usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly.
Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65. But, it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults as well — given a variety of resultant factors such as accident, genetics, bone infection, and the like. It’s also more common in women than men — mostly those women who had just given birth — as well as in people who are overweight/obese.
Now, as you can see, from the video tutorial above, the main symptoms of arthritis condition are joint pain, stiffness, or even redness and swelling. Not to mention, this may typically worsen with age and the overall weight of the patient.
Usually, the symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Notably, the condition is common today with children, teens, and younger adults too. Especially, due to unprecedented climate change, pollution aspects, and genetic alteration, as well as, poor lifestyle adoption. Thus, it’s good to make sure you get checked to stay safe.
The Most Common Arthritis Types And Causes
First of all, Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. Secondly, a reduction in the normal amount of this cartilage tissue causes some forms of arthritis. Normal wear and tear cause Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common forms of arthritis.
In certain research, Arthritis was reported by more than one-half of respondents aged ≥65 years (50.4%). Mostly, adults who were unable to work or disabled* (52.3%), or adults with fair/poor self-rated health (51.2%), joint symptoms in the past 30 days (52.2%), activities of daily living (ADL)† disability (54.8%), or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)§ disability (55.9%).
An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Your risk of developing OA may be higher if you have a family history of the disease. There is also an autoimmune disorder which is yet another common form of Arthritis known as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body.
These attacks affect the synovium, a soft tissue in your joints that produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints. Your risk of developing Osteoarthritis may be higher if you have a family history of the disease.
The risk factors are:
- Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
- Age. The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout — increases with age.
- Your sex. Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
- Previous joint injury. People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
- Obesity. Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips, and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
It’s also, important to realize, that severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to do daily tasks. Additionally, arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may gradually lose their alignment and shape due to continuous wear and tear in cases of high severity.
More widespread dissemination of existing, evidence-based, community-delivered interventions, along with clinical coordination and attention to social determinants of health (e.g., improved social, economic, and mental health opportunities), can help reduce widespread arthritis prevalence and its adverse effects. The topmost known arthritis types are as follows:
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
Realistically, Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the main and most common types of arthritis — it involves wear-and-tear damage to the joint’s cartilage (the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones). Enough damage can result in bone grinding directly on the bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years.
Or rather, it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection. Unfortunately, there is no actual cure, but treatments can lessen symptoms and possibly slow the progression of the disease. Antibiotics are also usually needed — to help manage infections as well as to help manage the spread of this disease-causing bacteria.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
To enumerate, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disease of the synovium that will invade and destroy a joint. It can eventually lead to the destruction of both bone and cartilage inside the joint. The exact cause of the immune system’s attacks is unknown. But scientists have discovered genetic markers that increase your risk of developing RA fivefold.
In Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, a tough membrane that encloses all the joint parts. This lining, known as the synovial membrane, becomes inflamed and swollen. The disease process can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
3. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Forthwith, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is one of the major complications that’s associated with Psoriasis. Notably, this is a chronic inflammation of the skin and joints that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in affected joints — a relapsing inflammatory skin disease. As a matter of fact, an estimated 30 percent of people with Psoriasis Symptoms will still go on.
And as a result, they’ll develop into Psoriatic Arthritis. In particular, yet another type of inflammatory disease that’s caused by both genetic and environmental factors. If you have an artificial joint, see your doctor if you experience pain while using the joint. So that they can offer your an immediate alternative medication or management procedure.
4. Gout + Fibromyalgia
On one hand, Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is very painful. It usually affects one joint at a time (often the big toe joint). There are times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when there are no symptoms, known as remission. On the other hand, Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body.
Thus, for this reason, it’s also referred to as widespread pain coupled with sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. Try to see your doctor if you have severe pain in a joint that comes on suddenly. Whilst, keeping in mind, that prompt treatment can help minimize any unforeseen joint damage.
5. Psoriatic Arthritis
By definition, Psoriatic Arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis — a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people develop psoriasis years before being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But for some, the joint problems begin before skin patches appear or at the same time.
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can affect any part of the body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, disease flares can alternate with periods of remission. There’s no actual cure but there are a few management methods.
6. Septic Arthritis
Precisely, Septic Arthritis (Acute Septic Arthritis) is a painful infection in a joint that can come from germs that travel through your bloodstream from another part of your body. Septic arthritis can also occur when a penetrating injury, such as an animal bite or trauma, delivers germs directly into the joint. Infants and older adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis.
People who have artificial joints are also at risk of septic arthritis. Knees are most commonly affected, but septic arthritis also can affect hips, shoulders, and other joints. The infection can quickly and severely damage the cartilage and bone within the joint, so prompt treatment is crucial. Treatment involves draining the joint with a needle or during surgery.
7. Ankylosing Spondylitis
Axial Spondyloarthritis, also known as Ankylosing Spondylitis, is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply. Generally, Axial Spondyloarthritis has two types.
Typically, when it’s found on X-ray, it’s called Ankylosing Spondylitis (Axial Spondyloarthritis). If it can’t be seen on X-ray but is found based on symptoms, blood tests, and other imaging tests, it’s called Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis. Symptoms begin in early adulthood, and inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body — mostly, the eyes.
8. Thumb Arthritis
In reality, Thumb Arthritis is most common with aging and occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb — also known as the Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. As a matter of fact, it can cause severe pain, swelling, and decreased strength and range of motion, making it difficult to do even simple tasks.
The patient may be unable to do simple tasks such as turning doorknobs and opening jars. That said, its treatment, generally, involves a combination of medication and splints. Although, at times, Severe Thumb Arthritis might require some sort of surgery. Overall, this helps relieve the pain by suctioning out some of the infected body liquid from the ailing thumb.
9. Lupus
Lupus also known as SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects many different parts of the body. The body’s immune system attacks itself because it cannot tell the difference between healthy tissue and foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes lupus.
But, something makes your immune system go awry. Instead of attacking viruses and other invaders, it starts to cause inflammation and pain throughout your body, from your joints to your organs, to your brain. Women of childbearing age are more likely to get it than men. It affects African-American women more often than white women (between ages 15 and 44).
10. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Lastly, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, formerly known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16. By all means, it’s known to cause persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Notwithstanding, some children may experience symptoms for only a few months, while others have symptoms for many years.
Equally important, it’s also worth mentioning that some types of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis can cause serious complications in the long run. Such as growth problems, joint damage, and eye inflammation. Clinically, its main treatment procedure highly focuses on controlling pain and inflammation, improving joint function, and preventing any further damage.
The Most Commonly Notable Arthritis Symptoms To Note
As can be seen, from our introduction part, joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the most common symptoms. Your range of motion may also decrease, and you may experience redness of the skin around the joint. Most people with it notice their symptoms are worse in the morning. While, in the case of RA, you may frequently feel tired or experience a loss of appetite.
Partially, due to the inflammation the immune system’s activity causes. You may also become anemic (experience anemia) — meaning your red blood cell count decreases — or rather, have a slight fever resulting in your body shaking. Still, in cases of severe RA, it can cause joint deformity if left untreated. Seeing your primary care physician is a good first step.
More so, that’s if you’re unsure who to see for a diagnosis. Whereby, they will perform a physical exam to check for fluid around the joints (warm or red joints) and then give your further medical steps and directions. And a limited range of motion in the joints. In that case, your doctor can refer you to a specialist if needed.
However, if you’re experiencing severe symptoms, you may choose to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist before anything else. Whilst, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment. In most cases, Arthritis Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Whereby, without it, the likes of Psoriatic Arthritis can be quite disabling.
How It Is Diagnosed, Medical Remedies Plus Preventive Tips
Extracting and analyzing inflammation levels in your blood and joint fluids can help your doctors too, especially, to determine what kind of arthritis you have. Blood tests that check for specific types of antibodies are also common diagnostic tests. Like anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), RF (Rheumatoid Factor), ANA (Antinuclear Antibody), and the like.
Commonly, doctors may also use imaging scans. Such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scans to produce an image of your bones and cartilage. This is so they can rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as bone spurs and the like. Perse, the main goal of this treatment is to help reduce the amount of pain you’re experiencing and prevent additional damage to the joints.
By all means, the process helps learn what works best for you in terms of controlling pain. What’s more, some people will still find heating pads and ice packs to be a little bit more pain-relieving and soothing. Others may also use mobility assistance devices, like canes or walkers, to help take the pressure off sore joints. Improving your joint function is also important.
In most cases, your doctor may prescribe you a combination of treatment methods to achieve the best results. Not forgetting, you can also shop for heating pads at your local mart or online to help you relieve pain, or focus on remedies like:
1. Consultancy
Try to see a doctor if you have joint pain and other arthritis symptoms. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible so you can start treatment. Early and effective treatment is important to minimize symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse, especially for certain forms of arthritis, like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Always remember, that the main focus of arthritis treatment is to help reduce pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. You can play an active role in controlling your Arthritis by attending regular appointments with your healthcare provider. In addition to following your recommended treatment plan.
This is, especially, important if you also have other chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease. Suffice it to say, your doctor will always come up with the best resolution for you after examining your condition.
2. Medication
Before you opt-in for medication, your health consultant may advise you to first take the route of physiotherapy. This may include a physical routine exercise plan to aid in being active. As well as a simple and effective, drug-free way to relieve arthritis pain. Being physically active can reduce pain, and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis.
Regular physical activity can contribute to improved sleep and support bone health, brain health, and weight control. Physical activity can also reduce your risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and help you manage these conditions if you already have them. Stay as active as your health allows, being fit is better than none.
The most common medications may include:
- Analgesics, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are effective for pain management but don’t help decrease inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and salicylates, help control pain and inflammation. Salicylates can thin the blood, so they should be used very cautiously with additional blood-thinning medications.
- Menthol or capsaicin creams usually help to block the transmission of pain signals from your joints.
- Immunosuppressants like prednisone or cortisone help reduce inflammation.
If you have RA, your doctor may put you on corticosteroids or Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), which suppress your immune system. There are also many medications to treat osteoarthritis available over the counter or by prescription. Eventually, you can also Shop for capsaicin creams in order to help relieve the pain as a result of arthritis or injury.
3. Surgery
Joint injuries can cause or worsen arthritis. Choose activities that are easy on the joints like walking, bicycling, and swimming. These low-impact activities have a low risk of injury and do not twist or put too much stress on the joints. With that in mind, you can learn more about how to exercise safely with arthritis in detail so as to gather more information.
In the same fashion, injuries to joints from sports, work, or vehicle accidents can increase the risk of developing Osteoarthritis in most cases. Thus, try some steps to prevent or minimize joint injuries to reduce the risk of developing or worsening Osteoarthritis. Consider wearing protective equipment, or seatbelts, and avoiding repetitive motion joint damage.
Surgery to replace your joint with an artificial one may be an option in severe cases. This form of surgery is most commonly performed to replace hips and knees. If your arthritis is most severe in your fingers or wrists, your doctor may perform a joint fusion. In this procedure, the ends of your bones are locked together until they heal and become one.
4. Therapy
Therapy like losing excess weight and staying at a healthy weight is particularly important for people with arthritis. For people who are overweight or obese, losing weight reduces stress on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. In fact, losing as little as 10 to 12 pounds can reduce pain and improve physical function for people with arthritis.
Try exercises that help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint as a core component of treatment. Severe arthritis, particularly, if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to do daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may become twisted and deformed.
By the same token, you can also join a self-management education workshop. Eventually, which can help you learn the skills to manage your arthritis and make good decisions about your health. Also, learn strategies to better manage it.
This can help you:
- Feel more in control of your health
- Manage pain and other symptoms
- Plan and carry out valued activities, like working and spending time with loved ones
- Reduce stress and improve your mood
- Communicate better with your health care provider(s) about your care
Must be remembered, at any age, low-impact, arthritis-friendly physical activity (for example, walking) combined with healthy dietary changes can help you lose weight.
5. Diet
Sure, certain foods can actually help to ease arthritis symptoms and improve your overall joint health. Along with medications, a proper diet can curb the inflammatory responses from the body that cause pain. Eating the right foods also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is incredibly important since your hips and knees support most, if not all, of your body weight.
Of course, one of the most common questions people with arthritis ask is, “Is there a special arthritis diet?” While there’s no miracle diet for arthritis, many foods can help fight inflammation and improve joint pain and other symptoms. For starters, a diet rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans, but low in processed foods and saturated fat.
Essentially, this is not only great for overall health, but can also help manage disease activity. If this advice sounds familiar, it’s because these are the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which is frequently touted for its anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting powers. Studies confirm that eating foods commonly part of the Mediterranean diet has various benefits.
This diet helps:
- Lower blood pressure
- Protect against chronic conditions, ranging from cancer to stroke
- Help arthritis by curbing inflammation
- Benefit your joints as well as your heart
- Weight loss, which can lessen joint pain
Still, there are more Key Foods From The Mediterranean Diet that can be so good for joints and bone health. Be that as it may, you can also find out more information on how to manage pain with the pain resources as your most preferable guardian. In a nutshell, there are a lot of things you can do to manage your arthritis.
The day-to-day things you choose to do to manage your condition and stay healthy are “self-management” strategies and activities. Practice some of the above simple strategies to reduce symptoms and get relief — so you can pursue the activities that are important to you. They can even help you manage other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.
Summary Notes:
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability among U.S. adults. Arthritis‐attributable medical care expenditures and earnings losses were responsible for >$300 billion in direct and indirect annual costs in 2013. Studies suggest that the worldwide prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitations (AAAL) continue to increase in absolute number.
Whereby, 58.5 million (23.7%) U.S. adults alone have arthritis, with 25.7 million (43.9%) of whom have AAAL. Both conditions are most prevalent among adults with worse physical and mental health profiles and more social disadvantages. More widespread dissemination of existing, evidence-based, community-delivered interventions, and the like is needful.
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As well as clinical coordination and attention to social determinants of health (such as improved social, economic, and mental health opportunities). Overall, this can greatly help reduce widespread arthritis prevalence and its adverse effects. The prevalence of both arthritis and AAAL is still high among adults with physical limitations across many nations.
Still, those with few economic opportunities, and poor overall health are still prone to the widespread arthritis prevalence and its adverse effects. Be that as it may, you can Donate in order to help us support those with and affected by Arthritis. In addition to all those with other forms of disability (after an accident) without any notable source of communal welfare help.
Other More Useful Resource References:
- The Topmost 8 Natural Therapies To Control Joint Pains
- Bone Health | 8 Secrets For Physically Fit & Strong Bones
- Bone Broth | 6 Important Benefits To Health + Key DIY Recipe
- Antioxidants Food Sources | Plus How They Benefit Our Body Health
- Collagen | How It Helps Bone Health With Strong Joints Power
- Fish Soup | 8 Health Benefits & Risks to the Consumers
Finally, we hope the above-revised guide on how to maintain Arthritis naturally was helpful to you. And therefore, if so, please help us share the word with other readers online. But, if you’ll need more support, you can always Contact Us at any time and let us know how we can sort you out. You can also leave your suggestions and thoughts in our comments section.
