Arthritis

What is Arthritis

Arthritis affects more than 10 million people in the UK. While the onset of this condition normally takes place in people who are over the age of 40, arthritis can affect people of all ages, right down to children.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis causes inflammation and pain in your body's joints, most commonly in your hands, knees, hips and spine. However, this condition comes in a wide range of different forms and can affect many different parts of the body.

Arthritis may cause a great deal of pain for some sufferers, and while no treatment currently exists to cure it, there are pain relief medicines to help alleviate discomfort, as well as medicines to slow down the progress of arthritis.

Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis comes in many different forms, so each person's symptoms will vary depending on which type they have.

You may have arthritis if you have any of the following:

• Weakness and muscle wasting
• Pain, stiffness or tenderness in your joints
• Inflammation in and/or around the joints
• Restricted movement of the joints
• Warmed red skin over the affected joint

If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, it is very important that you get checked by a doctor. To receive the right pain relief medication and the most effective treatment for arthritis, it is vital you are diagnosed correctly, as quickly as possible.

Arthritis treatments in the UK

Currently, there is no known cure for arthritis. Pain relief and medication to prevent your condition from getting any worse are the two main focuses of arthritis treatment. Other treatment options may include physical therapy.

Your doctor may prescribe you a combination of medication to improve the function of your joints.

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)

There are a number of different medications available to aid the treatment of arthritis, including various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, and Naproxen which can help to provide pain relief and reduce inflammation.

Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which work by suppressing your immune system. Various medication can be bought over the counter and on prescription as a treatment for osteoarthritis.

When it comes to controlling pain, different people find different techniques more beneficial than others, and you will discover over time what works best for you. Alongside medication, the likes of heating pads and ice packs have proven to be beneficial for some. Walking sticks, walkers or mobility scooters will help to take the pressure off your joints, if necessary.

Surgery

In some cases, your doctor may advise you to undergo surgery to replace your joint with an artificial one; this is particularly common for knee and hip replacements.

A joint fusion can be performed by your doctor if you have severe arthritis in your fingers or wrists. This locks the ends of your bones together until they heal and join together properly.

Physical therapy

Various exercises to help strengthen the muscles around your joints are also an important part of your arthritis treatment. This can help to ease pain and allow you to get on with your daily life without feeling impaired by your condition.

For the sake of easing your arthritis and improving your overall health, your doctor may suggest that you make certain lifestyle modifications. Health-conscious lifestyle changes you can make to ease arthritis include:

• Eating a healthy balanced diet
• Taking a regular amount of exercise to keep your joints flexible
• Losing weight
• Avoiding over-exertion

The Arthritis Foundation webiste covers  the information you need on physical therapy for Arthritis.