Arthritis
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Arthritis
Dr. Mahesh Prasad, a Arthritis in the area of medicine, is aware of the full and consequential treatment of a diversity of Arthritis conditions. He is helping people with number of problems, dealing with a range of musculoskeletal problems. Arthritis can cause discomfort and swelling in one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints, and these symptoms usually worsen with age.
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The two most prevalent types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is mostly caused by joint inflammation. Hips, knees, and fingers are the most common areas affected by age-related osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can occasionally develop following a joint injury. For example, you may have developed arthritis in your knee joint after a severe injury to your knee sustained when you were younger.
There is no known cure for arthritis, although there are many treatments that can delay its progression. Osteoarthritis can be treated with surgery, medication, and dietary changes. The goal of treating rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce both general inflammation and the disease’s progression. This reducesthe possibility of joint damage.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis comes in several varieties. Typical ones consist of the following: One kind of arthritis that inflames the spine’s ligaments and joints is called ankylosing spondylitis. One form of arthritis that flares up is called gout, and it usually affects one’s big toe or lower limb. Children who suffer from chronic arthritis most often have juvenile idiopathic arthritis. His most prevalent kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is more prevalent in the elderly. Basic Health Information about Living with Arthritis for You and Your Family.
This pamphlet with illustrations provides general information regarding osteoarthritis. People who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin spots) may also develop psoriatic arthritis. It affects the joints, skin, and the spaces where tissues and bone meet.
Your body has an infection that is the source of your reactive arthritis. In many cases, the symptoms go away on their own in a few weeks or months. An autoimmune kind of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s defences target the healthy tissues in the joints.
What is the cause of arthritis?
The type of arthritis will determine the cause. Overuse or gradual joint wear and tear is the main causes of osteoarthritis. Scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are all brought on by the immune system of the body attacking its own tissues. The accumulation of crystals in the joints is the cause of gout.
Certain types of arthritis have a genetic component. Individuals who bear the HLA-B27 genetic marker are more susceptible to ankylosing spondylitis. The cause of several additional types of arthritis is unknown.
Who is susceptible to arthritis?
Age is one risk factor for arthritis that cannot be modified or avoided. You are more likely to get arthritis
as you age.
• The gender. Compared to men, women are more likely to have arthritis.
• Temperament. Specific genes are associated with specific forms of arthritis.
Among the risk factors that can be modified or avoided are:
• Mass. Obesity or being overweight might cause harm to your knee joints. They may become
more susceptible to osteoarthritis as a result.
• Damage. Arthritis is more prone to develop later on in a joint that has been injured.
• Contamination. Following an infection, joints may be affected by reactive arthritis.
• Your occupation. Knee arthritis can result from repetitive bending or crouching at work.
What signs of arthritis are present?
Symptoms can differ from person to person. Among the most typical symptoms are:
- Pain in one or more joints that either persists or returns
- Redness and warmth in one or more joints
One or more joints - swollen; one or more Joints stiff; or difficulty moving one or more joints normally
These signs and symptoms can mimic those of other illnesses. To get a diagnosis, always visit your healthcare provider.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you a physical exam. Tests may also be done. These include blood tests such as:
• An ANA test for antinuclear antibodies. This measures the blood’s antibody levels.
CBC stands for complete blood count. This determines whether the amounts of your platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells are normal.
• Creatinine. This examination looks for kidney problems.
• Rate of sedimentation. This examination can detect inflammation.
• Hematocrit. The quantity of red blood cells is determined by this test.
• Antibody testing for cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Rheumatoid
arthritis diagnosis can be made using these. They are also able to determine the extent of the
illness.
The count of white blood cells. This determines how many white blood cells are present in your blood.
• Acetic acid. This aids in gout diagnosis.
How is arthritis treated?
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how what type of arthritis you have, and how severe the condition is. A treatment plan is tailored to each person with his or her health care provider.
There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, and help ensure joint function. Treatment plans often use both short-term and long-term methods.
Short-term treatments include:
• Medications: Short-term relief for pain and inflammation may include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other no steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
• Heat and cold: Pain may be eased by using moist heat (warm bath or shower) or dry heat (heating pad) on the joint. Pain and swelling may be eased with cold (ice pack wrapped in a towel) on the joint.
• Joint immobilization: The use of a splint or brace can help a joint rest and protect it from further injury.
• Massage: The light massage of painful muscles may increase blood flow and bring warmth to the muscle.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): Pain may be reduced with the use of a TENS device. The device sends mild, electrical pulses to nerve endings in the painful area. This blocks pain signals to the brain and changes pain perception.
• Acupuncture: This is the use of thin needles that are inserted at specific points in the body. It may stimulate the release of natural, pain-relieving chemicals made by the nervous system. The procedure is done by a licensed health care provider.
Among the long-term therapies are: Disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs). These prescription drugs may both address any immune system issues associated with the disease and slow down its progression. Methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and chlorambucil are a few
examples of these drugs.
• Steroids: Corticosteroids lessen edoema and inflammation. Some drugs, like prednisone, can be administered intravenously or orally.
• Therapy with hyaluronic acid: Osteoarthritis patients seem to break down this type of joint fluid. To help with symptoms, it can be injected into a joint, like the knee.
• Medical procedures: Various surgical procedures are available based on the joints that are impacted. Joint replacement, fusion, or arthroscopies are possible surgical alternatives. Following surgery, recuperation can take up to six months. After surgery, a rehabilitation programme is crucial.
Arthritis treatment can include a team of health care providers, such as:
- Orthopedist/orthopedic surgeon
- Rheumatologist
- Physiatrist
- Primary care doctor (family medicine or internal medicine)
- Rehabilitation nurse
- Dietitian
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Social worker
- Psychologist or psychiatrist
- Recreational therapist
- Vocational therapist
What consequences might arthritis cause?
Arthritis can lead to disability since it deteriorates joints over time. Both pain and mobility issues may result from it. It might be harder for you to perform everyday chores and activities.
Having chronic arthritis
Arthritis has no known treatment. However, it’s critical to lessen discomfort and inflammation in order to maintain joint function. Together with your healthcare practitioner, come up with a treatment plan that combines medication and counselling. Try to modify your lifestyle in a way that will raise your standard of living. Changes in lifestyle include:
Loss of weight: Excess weight increases the strain on joints that support weight, such the knees and hips.
Workout: Certain activities could ease stiffness and soreness in the joints. These consist of range-of-motion exercises, walking, swimming, and low-impact aerobic activity. Exercises that stretch the joints might also keep them flexible.
Rest and exercise: Alternate periods of activity and rest to lessen joint stress. By doing this, you can minimize your symptoms and safeguard your joints.
Employing aids and appliances: Walkers, crutches, and canes can assist reduce joint tension and enhance balance.
Making use of assistive technology: You can decrease straining and increase your reach with reaches and grabbers. You can dress more effortlessly using the helps of dressing.
Controlling medication use: Some anti-inflammatory medications might cause stomach bleeding if taken long-term. Collaborate with.