Article #1 — Fighting Arthritis
Ways To Keep This Incurable Disease Under Control
One in seven Americans has some form of arthritis. That’s 40 million people, and the numbers are climbing as baby boomers grow older.
Simply put, arthritis is inflammation of the joints. There are 147 joints in your body, and almost any joint in the body can be affected, but arthritis usually strikes in the hands, hips, knees, feet and spine. Osteoarthritis is the form of the disease most prevalent in people 60 and older. This degenerative joint disease occurs when there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is the rubbery material at the end of bones that functions as a kind of shock absorber to reduce friction within the joint. The less cartilage there is, the greater the pain. In the worst case, bone rubs against bone. The pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis can be severe, even debilitating.
There is no known cure for osteoarthritis, but there are several remedies that can relieve or eliminate the pain. Consult first with your primary care physician, who can help you choose the right approach.
Losing weight is one of the simplest treatments for osteoarthritis because it reduces the stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knee or hip. Resting a sore joint by reducing the frequency and intensity of an activity is another conservative treatment. If these simple measures do not relieve the pain, then it’s time to consider other options such as physical therapy, medication and even surgery.
A physical therapist can create a customized exercise plan to strengthen the muscles around the joint, increase flexibility and reduce pain. A physical therapist can also recommend medical devices such as shoe inserts, braces or splints designed to reduce pain. You might also consult an occupational therapist, who can provide the tools and teach you the techniques that reduce stress on your joints during daily activities. Ask your primary care physician for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist.
Medication is another available treatment. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol for example) can often help with mild or moderate pain. Your physician may prescribe non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs. For more severe cases of pain, cortisone shots or stronger prescription painkillers such as codeine can be suggested by your doctor. If none of these are effective, you may want to consider joint replacement surgery.
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