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The Facts And Details On Arthritis
February 9th, 2010 by admin Leave a reply »
More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance (such as in osteoarthritis), infections (such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease), and an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Treatment programs, when possible, are often directed toward the precise cause of the arthritis.
If joint pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, loss of motion or deformity occurs, medical evaluation by a health-care professional is warranted. Even minor joint symptoms that persist unexplained for over one week should be evaluated. For many forms of arthritis, it is essential that patients have an early evaluation as it is clear that this can both prevent damage and disability as well as make optimal treatment easier.
Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet. A joint functions to allow movement of the body parts it connects. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia.
Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas as well.
There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 have been described so far, and the number is growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation as a result of an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.
For many patients with arthritis, mild pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient treatment. Studies have shown that acetaminophen given in adequate doses can often be equally as effective as prescription anti-inflammatory medications in relieving pain in osteoarthritis.
Since acetaminophen has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDS, especially among elderly patients, acetaminophen is often the preferred initial drug given to patients with osteoarthritis. Pain-relieving creams applied to the skin over the joints can provide relief of minor arthritis pain. Examples include capsaicin, salycin, methyl salicylate, and menthol.
Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Over 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.
Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present. Loss of range of motion and deformity can result. Certain forms of arthritis can also be associated with pain and inflammation of tendons surrounding joints.
Some forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than a serious medical problem. However, millions of people suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications.
Moreover, many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
The treatment of arthritis depends on which particular form of arthritis is present, its location, severity, persistence, and any underlying background medical conditions of the patient. Each treatment program must be customized for the individual patient.
Treatment programs can incorporate home remedies, nonprescription and prescription medications, joint injections, and surgical operations. Some treatment programs involve weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert excessive stress on the joint. The goal of treatment of arthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while preventing damage and improving and maintaining joint function.
Not every person with arthritis requires medical attention. For example, some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain and may not need treatment. However, for those with persisting joint symptoms, the ideal steps to take should lead to a proper diagnosis and an optimal long-term treatment plan. This plan must be customized for each person affected, depending on the joints involved and the severity of symptoms.
Surgery is generally reserved for those patients with arthritis that is particularly severe and unresponsive to the conservative treatments. Surgical procedures can be performed to relieve pain, improve function, and correct deformity. Occasionally, joint tissue is surgically removed for the purpose of biopsy and diagnosis. Doctors who specialize in joint surgery are orthopedic surgeons.
Currently, prevention of arthritis focuses on avoiding joint injury and early diagnosis and treatment. Research clearly demonstrates that early diagnosis and treatment can result in less damage, deformity, disability, and even mortality in rheumatoid disease.
The treatment of rheumatoid disease is not only more effective but easier when administered early.
Additionally, maintaining overall good health and strength with exercise and good nutrition can be helpful in preventing joint disease.
Watch the video related to arthritis
A child copes with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Watch this and more health videos at: www.answerstv.com
Help answer the question about arthritis
What is the best non prescription arthritis medication for dogs?My 10 year old Rottweiler, Belle has arthritis that is getting pretty bad.
I don't want her on Rx medication because I've heard it can damage her liver, and other internal organs.
What are some of the best non prescription medications I can give try for her?
I already give her asprin, but it doesn't help her anymore.
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definitely LUPUS.its clinical manifestations resemble Rheumatoid Arthritis and sometimes people are misdiagnosed in the early course of the disease.
I have athuritis to so I know how it feel and feel what it is to feel so thanks on my part for just explaing to people what it is and how it wworks
This is a great video.
There is an epidemic of people suffering from chronic pain. We believe part of the reason is incorrect diagnosis. Very seldom do we find that arthritis itself, is the cause of the pain in sufferers. It is estimated that 15% of the U.S. population has arthritis, with prevalence being about 50% over the age of 65 and only 5% under the age of 44.
Part of the problem is that medical technology has taken over the role of the medical touch. It used to be that doctors would touch patients to make a diagnosis, especially in regards to pain. Today it's very common for people in pain to get an extensive array of X-Rays to show some abnormality. The problem is that often the abnormality is causing the problem.
Did you know that up to 50% of asymptotic people have abnormalities on MRI scans, including herniated discs. The most important thing a doctor could do for you, when you go in for an office visit, is to reproduce your pain. Yep, that's right, that doctor or chiropractor ought to be pokin' around until you down right hurt! We believe, in our practice, if you can reproduce someone's pain in the office, then the pain can be relieved.
Generally chronic pain stems from the soft tissue structures of the body, such as ligaments and tendons. It is reasonable, if you have not had a trial of chiropractic manipulation, to give this a try. Vertebral subluxation or improper positioning of the vertebrae can cause pain. Any physician or chiropractor who is skilled in manipulation can provide you relief and this may be a good place to start.
You should also make sure that you have proper nutrition, as this will be necessary to help the soft tissues heal and the manipulation to hold. For an unknown reason, some folks are slow to heal when they injure tissue. You may not know it, but everybody is injuring tissue all the time. Just our daily activities of working, running around, or mowing the grass causes some injury of soft tissues. Our muscles get strained and ligaments and tendons become weak over time. We use Prolotherapy to encourage these to heal.
Prolotherapy injections start the healing cascade so ligaments and tendons begin to grow. This is in contrast to cortisone injections, which relieve pain (often temporarily), but ultimately weaken the tissue.
Prolotherapy injections are given generally every four to six weeks until the pain subsides. The average person needs three to four treatments. Most people don't like injections. We don't like injections either, but so many people feel better with the Prolotherapy injections. We have to look at your long haul. We don't want you to have pain for years. If that occurs, you might get grumpy or something. Prolotherapy injections should be looked into for your problem. Remember, No Pain, No Gain.
Your horse being an Anglo-Arab, you are already off to a good start. Thoroughbreds have an average life expectancy of 20-35 years, and Arabs have about the same life expectancy. In general, any mixed breed animal can be expected to live longer than an animal pure bred of the same species because cross breeding dilutes the negative genes in any particular breed. (To put it simply.)
Also, if your horse is 24 and you still have him jumping regularly, with no signs of arthritis, I'd also say you are doing well. Keep in mind, however, that generally horses begin to be regarded as "old" at about 20, which corresponds to about 50 or 60 human years. Be sure to watch for any unusual shyness or aggression when feeding, saddling, or grooming him, as well as when trimming his feet, or if he is shod, when shoeing him, as these may be early warning signs of pain or discomfort associated with any number of problems that can arise in an older horse.
Things to watch for:
- Make sure that he is eating all of his food and shows no signs of pain or uncomfortableness when chewing or recieving a bit or hackamore (whichever you ride with). Also watch for any foul or unusual odor coming from his nostrils. These can be signs of several different dental issues including:
Tooth root abscesses
Periodontal Disease (Soft Tissue Disease)
Sinusitis
Wolf Teeth
- Pay attention to his weight. Progressive weight loss, Hirutism (a thick coat that doesn't shed out), excessive drinking and urinating, seizures, and unusual sweating and dampness of the coat can all be signs of the potentially deadly Equine Cushing's Disease.
-Cancers are also common in older horses, but the signs are often mistaken for something else. watch for any unusual lumps or growths, especially around the throat, eyes, and mouth.
These are just a few of the common problems that can hinder an older horse, have your guy vet checked regularly and after checking with your vet possibly consider slowly transferring him to a high-protein, easily digestible food source to avoid the dental and digestive problems which can become an issue for aged horses.
As far as how long you should keep jumping him, that depends entirely on your horse's state of physical health. As long as there are no signs of pain or discomfort when riding him, go for it! Just because he is older doesn't mean he doesn't want or need exercise, especially if he is kept in a stable and not allowed free-reign of a pasture.
Most horses like to be outside. My mother is an ex-professional trainer and I have had at least 10 horses at a time under my care for as long as I can remember and we have NEVER kept them in a barn or stable. As long as your horse has access to shelter when he wants it, turning him out can be extremely good for him as it allows him to run and let off energy when he would otherwise have to wait for whenever it is convenient for you. It's funny, but whenever there was bad weather, our horses always preferred to stand under a tree for shelter than be stuck in a barn. It goes back to the "fight or flight" instinct, and a horse is always happier when they know they can get away if necessary.
I hope this helps you some. Good luck, and remember, the best thing you can do for any horse, whether he be old or young, is remember that he is your friend and he is completely dependent on you for all his needs. Treat him well and watch out for him like you obviously have been doing and he will live a long and happy life.
Also, check out http://www.maccvets.co.uk/fact_sheets/fact_sheets_equine_older_horse.htm
This is a good website and elaborates more on what I have said here.
this is great educational video. simple easy to follow and to the point. thank u