If you or anyone that you actually love is feeling pain or swelling in the joints then you are not alone. This type of disease is medically known as arthritis which is a global medical condition that affects millions of people all over the world. This article is going to be very important for you if you have become newly victims of this disease or under treatment of arthritis for many years. In this comprehensive article we will talk about what arthritis actually is, what are its symptoms and treatment options available for you. Let’s quickly move towards a comprehensive article.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a common but serious health condition that is related to joints. It is really very important to understand that arthritis is not a single disease but it is the combination of various conditions that affects the joints. Medical research shows that there are more than 100 different conditions related to arthritis. But due to the complexity and severity there are two major types of arthritis known as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s talk about these types one by one.
Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
One of the major types of arthritis is osteoarthritis. In this type a patient feels stiffness, swelling and pain in joints. Osteoarthritis mostly affects knees, hands and hips. As it creates multiple symptoms that’s why it is also called wear and tear arthritis. Osteoarthritis actually damages cartilage which is a protective tissue that is found at the end of the bones.
✓There are certain risk factors that need consideration. It is important to keep in mind that age, genetics, joint injuries, and obesity are some of the common risk factors that increase the chances of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered as an autoimmune disorder. Why is it called an autoimmune disorder? Try to understand in a simple way. In this condition the immune system of the body starts to attack the joints due to the abnormalities in functioning. When this happens it results in pain, inflammation and at last it can be the result of damaging joints.
✓Common symptoms in case of rheumatoid arthritis are pain and joints, distortion and swelling.
✓Although the exact causes are not known, there are some important factors in the immune system that start to damage joints.
✓Smoking, genetics and environmental factors are some risk factors that you must be aware of for going towards better treatment.
Symptoms Of Arthritis
There are various symptoms of arthritis in different people. It is because everyone has different conditions and circumstances. But despite the fact there are some common symptoms in case of arthritis that should be focused on priority.
✓The common symptom in case of arthritis is the pain in joints.
✓Besides that, it is also observed that an affected person experiences swelling as well.
✓Most people observe stiffness in case of arthritis. This stiffness becomes severe in the morning or after that time when you are not active.
✓An affected person can observe some redness around the joints.
✓Fatigue and tiredness is one of the common symptoms in the case of arthritis.
It is really important to diagnose symptoms at an early stage. This makes it easy to go for effective treatment options. Besides that, in time diagnosis can help you to further damage joints.
Managing Arthritis
Stay Active
You can prevent and manage arthritis by staying active. In this situation exercise plays an important role. If you make a habit to perform any type of physical activities on a daily basis then you can reduce symptoms of arthritis to a greater extent. Exercises and physical activities are very important for your joint health. These activities minimize stiffness and make those muscles strong which are around the joints. Light exercises such as cycling, walking or swimming are really helpful in this cause. It is better to perform at least 2 hours of physical activities each week. You can increase this duration with the discussion with your professional Healthcare provider.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Overweight is not needed if you want to become fit and healthy. Same is the case in arthritis. It is very important to maintain your healthy weight because additional weight adds stress on those joints that bear your weight including hips and knees. So if you are overweight then try to reduce your weight because even a small amount of weight loss can improve the joints functionality and reduce pain. For weight loss just focus on your healthy diet plan full of nutrients like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
Use Hot And Cold Therapy
Applying hot and cold therapy can be beneficial in order to reduce symptoms of arthritis. Now the question at the moment is what actually hot and cold therapy is? Just apply heat on the affected areas. This will help to relax muscles and reduce pain. Cold therapy is also beneficial in this context. Applying cold therapy can reduce inflammation and immobilized sore areas. Now try to understand how to use hot and cold therapy. Simply take a warm towel or heating pad and dip into the warm water in order to apply heat. Similarly in case of cold therapy just use ice packs and wrap them in a towel. After that, apply these hot and cold methods to the affected areas.
Protect Your Joints
When we talk about effective management techniques towards arthritis primarily it is important to protect your joints in order to prevent the damages and reduce pain and strain. In this whole scenario you can use some supportive devices that are made in order to protect your joints. Just consult your health physician and use a recommended one according to your joint issues. Some of the common and useful devices in this case are splints, canes or braces. It is also important to avoid excessive movements. Make sure that you are taking enough breaks in order to provide rest to your joints.
Try Occupational Therapy
It is also a good option to visit your professional therapist in the case of arthritis. It is because of the fact that the occupational therapist will give you complete guidance on how to perform your daily activities that helps to reduce stress on your joints. Your occupational therapist will give you suggestions in order to use some effective techniques and tools for making these things happen in a smooth way.
Consider Physical Therapy
As we have deeply talked about the importance of physical activities in the early part of this article. You should go to visit your physical therapist for a comprehensive plan of specific exercises in order to reduce symptoms of arthritis. A physical therapist can guide you body mechanics in order to protect your joints in an effective way during your daily routine work.
Medication Management
You can also go for some medicines in order to treat and manage arthritis more efficiently. Some of the common medicines that can be used in order to treat arthritis are as follows: NSAIDs Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs), DMARDs (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs), Corticosteroids and Biological Response Modifiers.
But keep in mind that it is really crucial to consult with your health physician before taking any type of medicine.
Adopt A Healthy Diet
Try to consume those foods which have anti inflammatory characteristics. There are certain foods that have these types of properties including Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Walnuts, fish and flaxseed are the best example of taking Omega 3 fatty acids. You can take sufficient antioxidants by consuming fruits and vegetables. It is crucial not to consume processed foods and those which have excessive sugar because they increase inflammation which is one of the major culprits in case of arthritis.
Keep Your Body Hydrated
It is important to keep yourself hydrated which is not only for your overall good health but also for joint health. Try to consume enough water because it helps to maintain synovial fluid in the joints. This synovial fluid acts as a lubricant which is really important for the movements of joints. Doctors suggest that it is better to consume at least 8 glasses of water or more in a day.
Practice Mind Body Techniques
Try to reduce stress from your life as much as you can. It is not only dangerous for your overall health but also increases symptoms of arthritis. There are a lot of techniques and practices that are really very helpful to relax your mind including yoga and meditation. Deep breathing exercises are also beneficial in this cause.
Advancements in Arthritis Treatment
Here in this part of the article we will talk about some of the advancements in case of arthritis.
Biologics And Biosimilars
There is good news for you as biologic drugs have been introduced which is actually a revolution in treating autoimmune forms of arthritis especially rheumatoid arthritis RA. The major purpose of these drugs is to target those areas of the immune system that creates inflammation. Biosimilars are somehow identical as the biological drugs are. In most of the cases these drugs are affordable to use.
JAK Inhibitors
Janus Kinase inhibitors commonly known as JAK are a new form of medicine especially for rheumatoid and other autoimmune types of arthritis. The major function of JAK Inhibitors is to reduce inflammation and protect joints from damage. Do you know how they actually work? They actually interfere in the activities of special enzymes that regulate immune response.
Regenerative Medicine
Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is the new innovation towards treatment of arthritis. As the name suggests these therapies are used in order to regenerate damaged tissues or repair them for the improvement of joint functions.
Advancement in Joint Replacement Surgery
With the introduction of joint replacement surgery it has become possible to treat arthritis in that case where chances of joint damage increases. This all actually happens due to the advancement in surgical techniques that make all this process more effective and faster.
Wearable Technology
With the help of wearable technology it becomes easier and effective to monitor the functionality of joints for effective treatment. Insoles and smart braces are the prime examples of this wearable Technology.
Personalized Medicine
Due to different health conditions related to arthritis it is very important to use a personalized or individual medicine. Thanks to advancement in genetics and molecular biology that makes all this happen.
Conclusion
As a combination of various health conditions, arthritis is a complicated joint related disease. In order to manage it in a comprehensive way there is a need for a multiple approach including Lifestyle modification, medical treatment and latest advancements. There are many people around the world who are living a healthy life with arthritis. You can also do this. Only you need to follow the instructions that we have deeply talked about in this complete article. Take regular exercises and by maintaining a healthy weight you can protect your joints and improve overall health.
It is better to stay informed about the new treatment options in order to manage arthritis comprehensively. Your healthcare provider is really crucial for giving you professional guidance towards the journey of improving quality of life.