Arthritis Treatment

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis treatment in the modern day consists mostly of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). This is because artritis is mainly caused through inflammation.

As NSAIDS have a number of side effects if taken regularly, is this the right sort of arthritis treatment or is there something better?

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints. The condition is so common that, in the UK, over 10 million people have a form of arthritis or similar conditions that impact their joints.

Although arthritis is largely associated as an illness that affects older people, the condition can impact individuals of all ages – including children.

Arthritis is a very common illness but it’s one that isn’t very well understood by many people.

Arthritis isn’t a single disease and the term generally refers to joint pain or a form of joint disease. There are actually over 100 types of arthritis incuding gout and related conditions out there which can affect people of all ages, races and genders.

It’s also one of the leading causes of disability around the world today.

The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both adversely affect our joints in different ways

There can be many reasons behind why your joint is painful. While certain aches and pains can seem severe, only a professional will be able to tell with the certainty that the cause is arthritis. .

Knowing when to go to see a GP is important though, and it’s worth keeping on the lookout for four key warning signs that should prompt you to take action and seek arthritis treatment as soon as possible:

Joint pain: The pain you feel from arthritis can come in many forms. It may be constant or it could come and go over time. You may feel discomfort whilst you’re moving or when you’re resting. You may also feel isolated pain or pain across many different parts of your body.

Long-term swelling: Some forms of arthritis can cause the skin over joints to become red and swollen whilst feeling warm to touch. If this occurs more than three times a month, you should pay the doctor a visit to get it checked out.

Persistent stiffness: One of the most common symptoms of arthritis is joint stiffness – particularly when you wake up or after you’ve spent a long time without moving like after long journeys. As a rule of thumb, if your stiffness in joints lasts for more than an hour after you wake up, it may be evidence of arthritis.

Difficulty of movement: If you notice that it’s becoming harder to stand up after spending time sitting down, there’s a chance that it could be arthritis getting in the way of moving freely.

Living with arthritis can be challenging and, in some cases, it can be hard to carry out everyday tasks.

Living with arthritis can be tough for individuals even if their condition is mild, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to live a happy and active life.

Different people can choose to live with their arthritis in different ways. Many choose to continue working due to the better levels of financial security and the greater self-esteem you can generate for yourself while keeping active.

Modern arthritis treatment methods mean that many more of those suffering from the condition will be capable of returning to work – especially if their arthritis is diagnosed early on.

Exercising can help to reduce and prevent joint pain, even though your arthritis may cause you to dislike the thought of activities. Be sure to consult with your GP about the best type of activity that you can take to help relieve your pain.

It’s also worth looking to adapt your day-to-day life to relieve the strain on your smaller joints by getting your larger ones to pick up the slack. For instance, when opening a heavy door, look to use your shoulder as opposed to your hand to do much of the hard work.

It’s important to take your medication as directed by your GP or specialist, whilst being mindful of potential side effects to look out for and which other drugs you should avoid.

For example, if you take any NSAIDs, including ibuprofen or naproxen, you should avoid taking any diuretics (used for treating high blood pressure) and be aware that a (very rare) side effect can be internal bleeding.

Although work could be challenging for some, employers are obliged to help with the necessary training and support to ensure that workers with arthritis remain comfortable at all times.

However, there are plenty of ways in which people can find support and many things as arthritis treatment that can be done to help sufferers to have an active and fulfilling life.