Arthritis: Treatment, symptoms, advice and help

About arthritis

Arthritis is referred to inflammation of the joint followed by limitation of movement. A joint consists of ends of bones, enclosing capsule and supporting cartilages, all of which may get involved in the condition of arthritis. It is a complex disease which encompasses several joint conditions, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most prevalent.

Arthritis: Incidence, age and sex

Individuals of any age group may be affected by arthritis. For example, osteoarthritis is more common in the fifth decade and thereafter. Likewise rheumatoid arthritis is more commonly seen in young and middle aged women. Similarly juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is mainly seen in children less than 16 years of age.

Signs and symptoms of arthritis: Diagnosis

Arthritis is a long standing disease, with periods of remission and relapse. Pain and swelling in the joint area are some of the common complaints of individuals suffering from arthritis. The skin around the affected joint may show redness and may feel warm on touching. Prolonged rest to joint may result in its stiffness.

Osteoarthritis shows a tendency towards affliction of load bearing joints like hip and knee joint. But other joints, especially base of thumb may also be affected. Osteoarthritis of any joint is characterised by joint pain aggravated with movement and emergence of joint stiffness on prolonged rest.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects joints of knee, fingers, toes and wrist. Rheumatoid arthritis of any joint is characterised by joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness and progressive deformity. It may also lead to nonspecific features like loss of weight, fatigue and muscle aches. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, seen in children, involves the eyes along with the joints.

Causes and prevention of arthritis

Several causes may lead to arthritis of which degeneration of joints as a part of aging is the commonest factor leading to osteoarthritis. Other factors like injury or obesity may also trigger arthritis. Sometimes an individual’s immune system may work against one’s own body and cause damage to joints as seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Balanced diet, regular physical exercise and weight management may play a role in preventing arthritis.

Arthritis: Complications

Sometimes pain of arthritis remains unresolved in spite of analgesic medications. This long standing pain coupled with limited range of movement may hamper one’s social and personal life and activities. Moreover any delay in treatment may result in disability and loss of function of the affected joint. The complications of rheumatoid arthritis may be severe resulting in heart failure, lung disease and spinal problems. Deformity of affected joint may also occur if the affected joint is left untreated for a long time.

Arthritis: Treatment

The management of arthritis depends upon the type of arthritis an individual is afflicted with. Medications like NSAIDs which help in reducing pain, swelling and inflammation of joint are the mainstay of treatment in osteoarthritis. Adequate support to joint by splinting, braces or muscle strengthening exercises may further help by providing good joint support. Rest to the joint during periods of inflammation and adequate weight management may also be beneficial. In addition to this, rheumatoid arthritis may also need some potent medications like azathioprine, penicillamine or methotrexate for adequate benefits. Some of these medications may suppress the immune system leading to increased chances of infections.