Arthritis Problems?

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The two most commonly related to age are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The two types of arthritis, although the same family of disease, have different progression in the body.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. This is a chronic condition causing the breakdown of the joints' cartilage. As the cartilage breaks down, the joints then rub bone on bone and can cause pain, restricted movement and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is an autoimmune disease. This commonly effects the smaller joints such as those of the wrist, feet, knees, ankles and hands. It can also cause pain from moderate to severe. The inflammation may in time effect internal organs as well. Increased loss of range of motion along with swelling, redness and stiffness.

Diagnosing these types of arthritis is in the hands of both you and your physician. When you go to the doctors office have a list of all of your medications, symptoms such as pain, swelling that causes asymmetry in the effected joints, fatigue and some redness.

The primary symptoms that indicate the possibility of one of these types of arthritis are:

• swelling or fluid accumulation
  
• tenderness or stiffness
  
• warmth accompanied by redness around the joint
  
• reduced range of motion
  
• fever
  
• fatigue

Osteoarthritis is the most common type. This will also cause limited motion, stiffness and joint pain. Usually it progresses to a necessary change in your daily activities due to that pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis develops gradually. Effects are noticed later in the day after constant use. It does not effect other organs or have a systemic effect. Swelling, stiffness and warmth can also present themselves after lengthy inactivity. Spurs and enlargements of bones is also characteristic and osteoarthritis can appear along with rheumatoid arthritis.

An accurate diagnosing of these types of arthritis must be done by your physician. Your medical examination, your history and your account of symptoms along with progression are vitally important to your diagnosis.

There are many different types of arthritis and some diagnoses are difficult to ascertain. Blood tests and x-rays are usually used as part of an accurate diagnosis.

Getting diagnosed is the first part of the battle. Treatment then presents the second part of the battle.

Medications available for types of arthritis.

Medications fall into classes for both types of arthritis. These work to control symptoms, improve function and mobility and prevent joint damage. There are five basic categories of arthritis medication.

1. painkillers/analgesics

2. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS

3. corticosteroids

4. disease-modifying anti-rheumatics DMARD

5. newer biologics.

It is important to learn about these medications and know your options for the types of arthritis you may have, either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.

NSAIDS
This class of medication has been in use for over three decades. They contain both a fever-reducing and painkilling formula. The risks and benefits of NSAIDS need to be considered, as they do have some severe side effects in some patients.

ANALGESICS
Analgesics are pain killing drugs that block the signals to the brain or misinterprets those signals. There are narcotic type and non-narcotic types of analgesics. Neither will cause the patient to become unconscious or producing anesthetic effects.

STEROIDS
Steroids/corticosteroids are related to cortisol. The adrenal gland produces this hormone. While initially the use of steroids for arthritis was so impressive they considered it a cure. As time progressed and use expanded, many severe side effects became known. Steroids are still used either by injections or orally but only to decrease inflammation.

BIOLOGICS
This anti-rheumatic class of drugs either restore or stimulate the immune system. The immune systems' job is to fight off disease and infection. These drugs were specifically designed for rheumatoid arthritis.

DMARD
Disease-modifying drugs seem to decrease the inflammation associated with arthritis. It is however, not categorized as such. Instead of directly reducing pain, they modify the immune system, thus slowing the disease process.

NATURAL METHODS
As many people try to find alternative and thus more natural forms of treatment to complement the traditional types some get very little respect in the medical community. Before embarking on any remedies other than those prescribed by your physician, you should consult with them due to the fact that although "natural", they may interfere with the actions of your prescribed medications.

PAIN RELIEVERS
Both non-pharmacologic and drug pain relievers are available. Due to the fact that chronic pain is debilitating and will interfere with your normal daily activities it is necessary to find the correct way to manage that pain. Before trying anything new, please consult with your physician. Some patients have found that relaxation therapies may help reduce stress and thus relieve some of the discomfort caused by the types of arthritis. Although painkillers may help in the earlier stages of the both types of arthritis, it is no guarantee that it will help throughout the entire disease process.

JOINT REPLACEMENT
Although surgical intervention sounds a bit extreme, it has proven to be very successful. Joint replacement surgery removes joints that are so severely affected that the patient has no other recourse. Before having your joint replacement consult with your health care team about what to expect. Following their advice will get you through the procedure and lead you to a much freer life. Post operatively your physical therapy will get you to the point where taking a hike in the woods is a pleasant experience and not one to be shunned.

There are great similarities between both types of arthritis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Pain, swelling, redness, stiffness are evident in both. The symptoms will not go away without some type of treatment. As we age the wear and tear we have done to our bones just may rear it's ugly head. This is not as hopeless as it was decades ago when someone in your parents family became greatly debilitated by either type. Today with current medications and treatments such as joint replacement people can lead a healthy full life.

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