According to studies, 46 million people in the US alone suffer from a form of arthritis. This joint disease constrains into early retirement employee who fail to perform a range of physical activities. The person more or less has no other choice but to take on a sedentary lifestyle.
To know how to cope with this joint disease effectively, it’s important for anyone to know what it is about. There are over a hundred types of arthritis. And the number still grows each time a new one is taken to medical attention. Each one is based on causative factors and indications. However, there are two that debilitate more people around the world than other types.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the wearing and tearing of the cartilage in the joints. It’s the most common form of the disease worldwide. OA can be the result of aging, obesity and earlier being involved in strenuous activities like sports. Weight bearing joints are usually the sites attacked by OA. These include the feet, knees, hips and back. Joints that are usually overused may also suffer from it, like the elbows, shoulders and others.
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, on the other hand, is a form of an autoimmune disorder. For reasons unclear, your own immune system attacks your joints, thinking they are foreign bodies. RA can strike anyone at any age, even those in their early 20′s. A common indicator of RA is it attacks joints located on both sides of the body, in a symmetrical fashion. For instance, if your left knee is affected, it’s likely your right knee has RA too.
Pain and inflammation are usually dealt with through medications. For pain, a doctor typically prescribes analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For swelling, NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) are administered. In severe cases, steroids are directly injected into the joints. Steroids administered by injection pose lesser side effects than an orally taken form.
For lessening stiffness and improving mobility, mild exercises are recommended. Those with leg arthritis can greatly find relief in walking for a few minutes daily. However, this may at all not be possible during flare ups. Such attacks can be really painful, that even minimal movements can be excruciating for the person.
Some people suffering from arthritis prefer to deal with the signs and symptoms the natural way. This is because either they’re looking for inexpensive treatments, or prescription drugs fail to deliver results. Supplements such as vegetarian glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oils help in repairing damage connective tissues, and lubricate the joints. A diet composed mainly of fruits and vegetables decreases the acidity of the body, which is linked to arthritis.
