Doctor What Is Arthritis, Brief Answer

By Ann Parker


Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that manifests in a range of symptoms depending on the part of the body that is affected. This disease affects people of all races, sex, gender and social status regardless of their age. In America, this is the main cause of disability, with more than 50 million adults affected and 300,000 children being arthritic. This begs the question, doctor what is arthritis?

Arthritic condition manifests when local joint condition changes when it is osteoarthritis but pain will manifest in the entire body when it is rheumatic. The most common cause is degeneration of cartilage between bones that leaves them exposed to rub on each other. This causes fluid to build up on the area causing a lot of pain.

Pain may appear anytime regardless of the age because the cartilage is worn out. The progression of cartilage degeneration will depend on how advanced the condition is, the presence of injuries and whether your condition is hereditary. The joints may also be painful and degenerate depending on your health status. The number of women who are affected is also higher than that of men. You will feel an itchy soreness and stiff joints as you perform ordinary tasks.

Abnormally painful joints are an indicator of early stages of arthritic attack. The discomfort is usually recurring as the affected joints begin to swell. The severity of attack will depend on several factors, including how healthy you are and the management steps you are taking to relief pain.

Visit your primary healthcare physician immediately you notice any of the signs listed. You may also seek specialized treatment from a rheumatologist who performs advanced tests in order to establish the real extent of damage on your cartilage. The tests may also include antibody testing with the aim of establishing the level of damage and type of inflammation affecting your joints.

Arthritic pain is only managed since cure is not yet available. Your doctor will recommend a number of measures depending on your condition. They include striking a balance between work and rest, sessions of hot and cold therapy, regular physical exercises, checking your weight and additional support to strengthen muscles around joints. There are assistive devices that you can use for your joints or take over-the-counter drugs for pain relief. Excessive repetitive movement should also be avoided.

Surgery is recommended when the condition becomes extreme. The cartilage is replaced with an artificial one that involves surgery around your knee and hips. This will be a lasting solution. Joint fusion is another treatment procedure that involves locking two adjacent bones in a way that eliminates movement. By eliminating movement, you will also do away with the pain.

Management of arthritis is important in relieving the pain. You need such lifestyle changes as reducing your weight, eating a healthy diet as well as choosing foods with more antioxidants. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables and wild herbs. There are foods like fish and nuts that are known to reduce inflammation. Avoid dairy products, processed foods, fried foods and a lot of meat to reduce the pain.




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