| Arthritis is meant by 'Inflammation of the joints'. There | | | | and frequency are changed that suits the patient. |
| are various types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the | | | | Another effective and age old means to lower the |
| main arthritic disorder among human population. | | | | pain is to apply temperature. Hot fomentation and hot |
| Rheumatoid arthritis, JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid | | | | water bath have a soothing effect over the tissues. |
| Arthritis), Gouty arthritis is the other prominent forms of | | | | Many people say this technique is the closest they get |
| arthritis. | | | | to an arthritis cure. |
| The cause varies from one disease to the other. OA | | | | Normally the best arthritis cure [ is to keep the body |
| occurs when the defensive, cushion like articular | | | | stress free, which is critical to eliminate inflammation. |
| cartilage wrapping the facing bones of a joint get | | | | Arthritis symptoms are sometimes not correct the first |
| destroyed, resulting into the bones rubbing against each | | | | time they are discovered. Therefore, further tests may |
| other. This friction causes pain in the joint and swelling. | | | | be needed to determine the best modern concept to |
| As a result of this bone rubbing most medical | | | | treat different forms of arthritis. |
| examiners think there is no Arthritis Cures. | | | | Sometimes, cold compress may produce better |
| OA gets worse as the cartilage breaks down further | | | | analgesia (relieve of pain) than application of heat. That |
| bringing more and more bony surfaces into the rubbing | | | | again depends upon the disease profile. Often, the |
| process. The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is | | | | patients suffering from arthritis become so crippled by |
| miscalculation of body's natural defense system. This | | | | pain, they tend to avoid the directions given by the |
| gives raise the joint lining to swell and pain. It also | | | | doctor. |
| spreads to the surrounding tissues. Uric acid deposition | | | | This includes the exercise part also. These patients |
| in the joint spaces causes inflammation and pain in the | | | | need to be reassured, encouraged to accept the |
| joint. | | | | situation and to be injected moral support. They also |
| JRA is genetically determined. | | | | need appropriate supervision towards suitable pain |
| The modern concept of treating arthritis is to control | | | | relief. |
| the pain as to maintain a healthy, normal life and | | | | The first line of medication is still the Non Steroidal Anti- |
| management of the deformity if any. It is important to | | | | Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, |
| understand the specific arthritis symptoms. | | | | Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Ketorolac are among the most |
| There are some drugs that can modify the disease | | | | preferred analgesics used by the rheumatologists. |
| process of Rheumatic fever but do not offer a cure | | | | Selective COX-2 inhibitors like Celecoxib, Rofecoxib |
| for arthritis. But once arthritis is there, we have to stick | | | | and Valdecoxib have proven their worth for effective |
| to the basic principle of pain management. | | | | pain relief without increasing the gastric acid output, |
| The first thing to treat arthritis is lifestyle modification. | | | | thus minimizing the acid peptic disorder. The invasive |
| Arthritic joints become weak and can not bear the | | | | methods include intra articular injection of Steroids |
| weight that it was used to. So, reduction of weight is | | | | (Triamcenolone- Kenacort™) and Hyaluronan. |
| the first target area. Reduction of weight reduces the | | | | They produce valuable pain relief for a longer duration. |
| load in the joint and improves its function. | | | | There is virtually NO CURE for Arthritis. Believe me, if |
| Arthritic patients tend to work less due to pain and | | | | you come across any website or anybody who claims |
| sedentary lifestyle is predisposing factor for other | | | | that your arthritis will be completely cured by their |
| diseases like hypertension, Diabetes, Coronary Heart | | | | management, you are in the wrong hands. Please do |
| Disease, Dyslipidemia etc. To combat this, light, free | | | | not pay attention to them and follow the advices given |
| hand exercise is offered initially. Gradually, the method | | | | by your doctor. |