Arthritis is actually not a single condition but rather a group of conditions, in which there is damage caused to the bones and joints of the body. Although arthritis typically occurs in older aged people, it can develop in anyone of any age, and because of its incredible commonality it is a very important condition to watch out for.

Types of Arthritis

There are actually a few different types of arthritis, with the most common being: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gouty arthritis. The first, rheumatoid arthritis, is a chronic and inflammatory disorder, one that causes the immune system to basically attack itself. It is one of the most disabling and painful types of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systematic disease, and this means that it affects various extra-articular tissues throughout the body, including the skin and blood vessels. The cause is unknown but it is believed that it is infectious.

Psoriatic arthritis is different than its counterparts because it occurs in people who suffer from psoriasis, which is a severe dry skin condition. The treatment of this form of arthritis is very similar to that of rheumatoid however, as the treatments in both cases are directed at reducing and controlling the inflammation that is caused by the disease.

Gouty arthritis is different in that it is due to a congenital disorder, and the classic symptoms are burning pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the joint and surrounding area. This condition often affects a few areas of the body in particular, including the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, and the spine.

Diagnosis of Arthritis

Before the proper method of treatment can be determined for your specific condition, there has to be a diagnosis made, which can be done once your doctor has performed a routine examination. Blood tests and x-rays are often performed to make the diagnosis, and screening blood tests may be indicated as well if certain arthritides are suspected.

Although there is no surefire method of prevention, there are certain things that you can do in order to attempt at guarding yourself against development of the disease, and for instance by making sure you are getting enough calcium, you will be keeping your bones and joints healthy and strong, and thus will be less likely of developing an arthritic condition.

At first sight of any arthritic symptoms, you need to make sure that you get in to see your doctor as soon as you possibly can, so that he can make a proper diagnosis and assessment and get you on the correct path of treatment to help relieve your symptoms.

Continue reading more Arthritis articles here

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Many people who experience the beginnings of arthritis pain do not know they have arthritis, and thus may inadvertantly cause injiry by continuing with activities - particualry if they mask pain with medication such as painkillers. If you compain of sore, swollen joints and/or joint pain, your OT or physician should perform an in-depth assessment of your joints to see exactly how well they’re working and what is affecting them. If and when a diagnosis of arthritis is made, you will work together to come up with a combined-therapy appraoch to managing the arthritis.

TIP: For a full range of joint protection strategies, consult an occupational therapist (OT). OTs can prescribe custom orthotics and teach you the safe way to do things that might otherwise put you at risk.

Following are some common strategies used to help people protect their joints.

Orthotics

According to the Arthritis Society of Canada, these are usually custom-made appliances (such as splints, insoles and finger ring splints) which stabilize and protect fragile joints. Orthotics act to both protect and align a joint properly to improve and maintain functioning. If you have a joint that could be helped with an orthotic, the OT may recommend an orthotic device or splint. Wrist and hand splints are the most commonly prescribed orthotics, but many people with arthritis can benefit from knee and neck braces. Ideally, according to therapists, you should have flexible splints for daytime activity and rigid ones to maintain joint alignment while you sleep.

Experts claim that splints are especially important if your hands and/or wrists are affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus, since hands are prone to a deformity called ‘ulnar drift,’ where finger joints damaged by the disease start to slide toward the little finger and point away from the thumb. (The ulna is the large bone of your forearm on the side opposite to your thumb.) Tiny, tender finger joints in particular are susceptible to various deformities and challenges. are particularly vulnerable to a variety of deformities.

People with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis commonly develop problems in the joints of their feet. Heel spurs, bunions, fallen arches, hammer toes and a host of other painful conditions can be helped immensely with inserts or custom-made orthotics.

Re-Education

Common sense stells us that if something is painful, we should stop doing it. But what if those painful activites are necesasary every day tasks that we can’t live without? Arthritis sufferers may need to find new ways of doing things, enlist help, and/or be more patient with themselves, dropping unnessecary activities to ensure the basics get done. Keeping in mind that joints affected by arthritis are particularly vulnerable to damage, it’s very important to perform tasks with the protection of joints in mind. Here are some tips from the Arthritis Society of Canada:

• Reduce mechanical forces: Observe energy conservation techniques, and use adaptive equipment, such as mobility aids, large-handled utensils or a raised toilet seat.
• Use large joints: Protect the smaller, more fragile joints in your fingers and wrists by using larger ones that can withstand mechanical forces more readily. For example, instead of pushing open a door with your hand and wrist, lean against it with your shoulder or hip. And, instead of carrying a purse in your hand, sling it over your shoulder.
• Change positions often: Avoid joint stiffness, muscle fatigue and pain by changing position or stretching every half-hour or so.
• Shift rather than lift: Nothing puts mechanical stress on joints like lifting heavy objects. Avoid such situations altogether by sliding objects along a surface to their destination or shifting them onto wheeled transport (such a tea trolley, mover’s dolly or child’s wagon) for longer distances. For example, if you have to move a pan full of boiling water, use oven mitts and try sliding it with both hands from the stove along the kitchen counter. If you have to cross the kitchen, shift the pan onto a trolley and roll it across.
• Most activities can be ‘deconstructed’ into smaller movements or actions that can be analyzed and adjusted to your particular needs.

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Accepting that you have to live with arthritis is a necessary, and often difficult, first step. Fighting or denying the pain and discomfort you are feeling can not only add to your stress and pain, it can cause you to leave untreated something that may worsen without attention.

Information is key to effective management of arthritis. Do not be afraid to ask questions: often it is fear of the unknown that makes an arthritis diagnosis so frightening. There are ways to manage arthritis pain and there are strategies to prevent pain and inflammation from worsening.

Learn as much as you can about your particular type of arthritis, and actively work with your arthritis treatment team. In this way you will feel in control and you’ll understand the various regimens suggested for treatment. You’ll find plenty of information both online and off-, as well as from your arthritis care giver. Arm yourself with as much information as possible. Learning from the experiences of others is also helpful, not only for information but also to help you fee less alone in coping with your ailment.

There are myriad tools and techniques for dealing with arthritis, and you may find you need to experiment (with the oversight of your doctor) to find what works best for you. Moreover, you may find some things work better at some times than others. For instance, some days exercise or stretching may seem to help relieve your discomfort, while other days such activities may exacerbate it.

You will have noticed that leading an active life has become more difficult, however it’s more important now than ever to keep your muscles and joints working. Even daily tasks can be challenging during a flare-up, and swollen, tender joints can make such formerly simple things as dressing, washing or brushing your hair and climbing stairs difficult and painful. You will need to adjust to a new schedule which takes into account how you are feeling and what you are capable of an a given day. You may find that some physical therapies help ease your pain and keep your body as flexible as possible.

Fatigue is also very common with arthritis, and respecting your limits is important. If you push yourself, your body may no longer have the capacity to recover that it once did, and you risk injury or permanent damage to your joints.

You may also need to enlist the help and understanding of those closest to you. Your family and anyone with whom your regularly spend time may benefit from a heartfelt conversation with you. Be clear about what is going on with you and your arthritis, and ask for their help and patience. You may need extra assistance and more down time, and your family will need to honour this so that all of you can live within your new ability level, making the best of things. Always remember to keep your mind on what is important - you may not be able to leap up a step of stairs, but enjoying time with friends and family need not be given up.

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Today’s doctors and researchers have a good understanding of what pain is and how it works, but there is still work to be done. Managing arthritis pain is sometimes the best option, as it cannot always be prevented or alleviated entirely.

One thing that will help you manage your arthritis pain effectively is to describe it accurately. Although you can never entirely convey to someone else what you are feeling, you can attempt to describe to your doctor what your arthritis experience is. While your perception of the intensity will differ from someone else because of such issues as pain tolerance levels, what you are describing is still your realit yand will help your doctor help you.

If your arthritis pain is severe pain and persistent, you may require a combination of therapeutic strategies; no one pill or management technique will be enough to provide non-stop pain relief safely.

According to the Arthritis Society of Canada, “Arthritis medications are only one part of an overall strategy that will help you reduce and cope with your pain, improve joint function and daily-living activities, and learn to deal with the emotional stresses that arthritis can impose.”

Working with a multi-pronged approach to managing arthritis pain is often the best bet, however you and your doctor msut clearly understand each other and the intentions of your program. You must play an active role in your pain management, such as by performing any exercises, stretches or activities recommended as part of the arthritis treatment. You may need to try different combinations of therapies to determine what works best for you.

When dealing with a painful and often debilitating disease such as arthritis, there’s a lot to learn, and you must not let fear stop you. The more you understand about every aspect of your treatment plan, the more likely you are to benefit from it. In this case, knowledge really is power. Commit to wielding that power as an active participant in your own treatment program. Being an informed patient is the best medicine, and whether your treatment includes medications or non-medicinal techniques and therapies, your understanding them is an important key to effectively managing your arthritis painoming an arthritis self-manager.

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If you experience any or all of the following symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, check with your physician. There are preventive measures which can be taken to ward off the worst effects of arthritis, which can be quite debilitating and painful if left unchecked. Also note that although symptoms may come and go (as the disease flares up or goes into remission), arthritis is progressive and so although you may feel it has disappeared, damage may still be occurring. Always keep in touch with your doctor.

Flu-like Symptoms - Prolonged

Symptoms such as fatigue or sleepiness, loss of energy and appetite and achiness or stiffness can be indicative of a simple influenza bug or something more serious. These symptoms are actually common indicators of many ailments, arthritis included. If they are prolonged (more than a few days) and/or frequent, consult your physician.

Muscle and Joint Stiffness

Especially in the morning or during other times of non-use, you may experience pain, which usually will be symmetrical (experienced on both sides of the body). This may be combined with swelling or redness around your joints (such as wrists, elbows, knees or ankles). While you will feel normal stifffness and soreness within two days of a vigorous workout, for instance, this differs in that is regular and not necessarily related to physical activity - in fact, it is brought on by inactivity.

Difficulty Performing Normal Activities

If you find you are becoming less mobile or somewhat debilitated as compared to your norm, consult with your doctor. Rheumatoid arthritis affects muscles and joints - making it difficult to open closed jars, for instance, or climb stairs - and can evenaffect organs in your body. Any discomfort or loss of normal mobility or range of motion should be brought to your doctor’s attention.

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One effective activity for both preventive and healing purposes is the practice of yoga for arthritis.

Yoga practice serves a myriad of goals, allowing practitioners to enjoy consistently improved flexibility, strength and peace of mind, among many other benefits.

According to experts as well as countless testimonials, gentle yoga moves practised on a regular basis can help arthritis sufferers by releasing tightness, improving flexibility, and possibly even helping to relieve imflammation.

According to www.abc-of-yoga.com, the following yoga exercises can help with arthritis:

	Easy Pose (Sukhasana) This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and keeping your mind still.
	Single Leg Raises This Yoga Pose is performed in order to prepare the body for other exercises. It benefits the legs, lower back muscles, and abdominal area. In practicing the Single Leg Raise, one leg is raised while the other one stays on the floor.
	Shoulder Stretches Shoulder Stretches are great in relieving stress and tension on your shoulders, as well as your entire upper back. Practice them daily for several weeks and notice the changes. Learn some basic stretches for the shoulders in this section.
	Neck Exercises Many people hold tension in their necks and shoulders, leading to stiffness, bad posture, and tension headaches. Yoga practice can ease tension, increase flexibility, and tone the muscles. Learn some Neck Exercises in this section.
	Standing Side Stretch Pose The Standing Side Stretch is another Yoga Pose with two lines of energy radiating outward from your center. This is a simple Yoga Posture with a wonderful stretch in which one line of energy reaches upward from your belly and outward through the arm, and one line travels downward through the legs.
	Hand Clenching Hands and wrists are common body parts which are affected by Arthritis, especially Osteoarthritis. Take good care of your hands and joints and always keep them in ‘good working condition’ by performing the Hand Clenching Exercise.
	Wrist Bending Your wrists can also be affected by arthritis, specifically Osteoarthritis and Rheumatiod Arthritis. Take good care of your wrists through stretching and bending. Learn how to improve the range of motion of your wrists by doing the Wrist Bending Exercise.
	Yoga Exercise - Final Corpse For you to appreciate the benefits of relaxation, you should first be familiar on how it is to be tense. This is what happens when you do the Final Corpse. Everything related to that position including suggestions on how to do it is discussed in further detail in this article.
	Ankle Bending Repeated strain or sprain in the ankles can contribute to the occurrence of Ankle Arthritis. Manage stress and keep your ankles in good condition through therapy, having enough rest, and by doing the Ankle Bending Exercise.
	Ankle Rotation Pay attention to your ankles to avoid muscle or tendon strain due to too much training. Perform the Ankle Rotation Exercise and make your ankles more flexible. This is also ideal for people who are suffering from arthritis.
	Relaxation Pose The first step in Yoga practice is to learn how to relax your body and mind. In this section, know why relaxation is essential in practicing Yoga and learn how to do the Corpse Pose and other techniques for physical, mental, as well as spiritual relaxation.

You may also enjoy the following recommended book (you’ll find new and used copies at Amazon.com): YOGA FOR ARTHRITIS by Loren Fishman

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Because this disease can so deeply impair quality of life and normal functioning, it is important that we all learn about how to prevent arthritis. Even many doctors focus on treatment rather than prevention of arthritis, making tips and advice difficult to come by. Another factor is that treatment for arthritis pain - such as painkillers - can lead to other unwanted issues, risks and side effects, making prevention of arthritis doubly important.

According to Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., and Martin Zucker, co-authors of Preventing Arthritis: A Holistic Approach to Life Without Pain, “There is much you can do to protect and fortify yourself. Many of the physiological changes leading to osteoarthritis are not clearly understood yet by medical science. So prevention is an effort in which you take aim at the risk factors that contribute to joint damage.”

Following are some tips from the book on how to prevent arthritis which can followed by just about anyone:

Reduce repetitive strain on muscles and joints - Be alert for any chronic aches and strains caused by work, hobby, or recreation-related activities. Repetitive strain can create microtrauma to joints and adjacent soft tissue, and lead to osteoarthritis in later years. Squatting, heavy physical labor, occupational knee bending, and a history of regular sports participation that can cause abnormal wear and tear of the knee joints are risk factors for knee arthritis. Repetitive or forceful motions performed with the hands can contribute to osteoarthritis. And even long hours at the computer can strain and perhaps prematurely age your hands. At the first sign of chronic strain or pain, see a physician.

Exercise (but don’t abuse) your joints. A sedentary lifestyle makes for weak muscles and increases the odds of developing arthritis (and other health problems). Regular exercise is essential. It creates stronger and more flexible joints. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. Just regular. Consider a cross-training program that includes a variety of exercises and light weight training. The use of weights builds denser bones and strengthens the muscles, ligaments, and tendons associated with joints.

Feed your joints right. Overweight and obese individuals are at greater risk for osteoarthritis, particularly in the weight-bearing joints. Losing weight cuts the risk. Improving the diet is always a tough challenge in our time-strapped society. However, the more you can maximize your intake of whole foods and minimize the refined, packaged foods, the better off you and your joints will be.

As you can see from these tips alone, learning how to prevent arthritis can make a huge difference in your life later on.

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Read the rest of Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (368 words)

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