The world’s population is getting older thanks to modern science bringing about an increase in life expectancy. Unfortunately age often comes with disease and on of the most common age related diseases is arthritis. This occurs mostly in industrialized countries where the number of people suffering form arthritis pain is on the increase.
There are over a hundred forms of this disease including osteo, sceptic, rheumatoid and pseudo arthritis as well as gout. Everyone of these brings with it redness and swelling in the joints. Treatment is usually focused on reducing the swelling to achieve pain relief.
Each particular form of the disease may be caused by different problems. Gout which is a build up of uric acid in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an over active immune system that produces antibodies that work against the joint itself. In some cases infections that has occurred elsewhere in the body may travel to the joints and this can cause septic arthritis.
As you use a joint over the years, it picks up wear and tear, changing in the process and eating away at the soft tissue. The cartilages that act as a cushion between the bones, gets destroyed. The result is not only a loss of movement ability but also the pains of bone against bone friction when you move. Joints also becomes stiff.
Walking is good. Utilize your energy for such activities that are essential and that you like. Remain energetic as far as possible. Engage in daily routines such as visiting relatives or attending religious functions or even go shopping. Help of a physiotherapist can be sought who can advise on the proper exercise routines that will limit further trouble.
Body weight should be kept within limits so as to lessen the strain on the delicate joints. It is also good to keep away from repetitive movements of a particular joint. Any joint in the body can be afflicted by arthritis, so it is good to avoid any activity that involves continual use of a certain joint or joints.
Relief can be achieved using some methods. Heat therapy such as a warm shower, swimming in warm water or applying a hot pad or hot water bottle on the affected joint, is found to be temporarily helpful. So is sitting in a hot water tub. In the same way cold therapy also helps for a while by numbing the area. Ice cubes or ice packs can be tied around the joint. Relief brought about by any of the above methods will be short lived. Yoga, acupuncture treatment, massaging or eliminating certain food from the diet are also beneficial in some cases.
You local pharmacy has many different creams and salves that when rubbed in to joints can bring some relief. Pain killers are another option, but can cause further problems if over use occurs. Unfortunately the arthritis pain is something people have to live with on a daily basis, keeping in contact regularly with your doctor is a good as they can give you referrals to a rheumatologist which specializes in this area.
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