What are the Symptoms and Treatment for Arthritis?

What are the Symptoms and Treatment for Arthritis?

Clinical

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is not just the wear and tear of your body, neither is it an old person’s disease. It is a joint disease that can affect people of all ages, sexes and races. This rheumatic condition affects joints, tissues around joints, and other connective tissue.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. It could include:-

  • Mild to severe pain
  • Inflammation, especially around the joints
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Stiffness

How to Prevent Arthritis

Arthritis is often a hereditary condition and there is no known cure. Women are also more prone to arthritis than men.

But you can try to minimize your chances of developing arthritis with a few lifestyle changes:-

 

  • Maintaining a healthy weight as obesity increases pressure on joints.
  • Avoiding smoking or quitting if you are a smoker
  • Certain foods are known to fight inflammation, make the bones strong, boost the immune system and reduce risk of arthritis.
  • Maintaining an active lifestyle and doing some form of exercise improves joint mobility, eases stiffness, reduces pain, strengthens muscles and bones and helps lower the risk of arthritis.
  • Avoiding contact sports and sports injuries

Medical Treatments for Arthritis

Your doctor will be able to provide you with a combination of medical solutions.

This could include:

Medication – This may include medicines for inflammation and pain.

Physical therapy – Exercises will help in decreasing stiffness and improving range of motion. It can also help better muscle and bone strength that could in turn decrease pain.

Surgery – If your arthritis is very severe, the doctor may suggest surgeries like joint replacement or joint fusion. This could go a long way in providing pain relief.

Arthritis is one of those diseases that need to be constantly managed so that it doesn’t overwhelm you and take over your life. Developing a healthy lifestyle can diminish the risk of certain types of arthritis and also reduce the severity of symptoms. Having a good health care support group can help in maintaining a better quality of life.