Alleviating Arthritis
Getting older means you notice every little ache in your body. For me, I noticed that my left hand occasionally has a dull throbbing of pain. Not sure what it is but I do know of one family member who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. So why not a post on arthritis and maybe some helpful hints, right?
Arthritis is the pain and inflammation in your joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. In the United States, more than 54 million people or 23 percent of all adults have arthritis. It is a common belief that arthritis only affects adults when in fact it is estimated that 300,000 children have been diagnosed with chronic arthritis.
As a New Yorker, it is worth noting that of the more than 3.9 million New York adults who reported having doctor-diagnosed arthritis, nearly 36 percent report limitations in their daily activities. The condition results in 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million ambulatory care visits in the U.S. At one point, estimated annual medical care costs for arthritis reached a whopping $86 billion. The condition is the most common cause of disability in the United States.
Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion in your joints. Symptoms may be present infrequently and can range from moderate to severe. The condition can result in chronic pain and limit the ability to do basic daily activities like walking and climbing stairs.
Some common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (the most common), juvenile arthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. Different types of arthritis have different causes. For instance, osteoarthritis is caused by wearing down of joint cartilage which results in bone rubbing against bone and an unholy amount of excruciating pain. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, making it inflamed and swollen, leading to joint damage and damage to internal organs, eyes, and other parts of the body.
Risk factors for arthritis include age, sex (arthritis is more common in women), weight, a family history of the disease, a previous joint injury, other medical conditions like an autoimmune disease, and other lifestyle factors like smoking or lack of exercise. A doctor may use imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, or ultrasound to assess whether or not you have a joint injury or cartilage damage that might be causing arthritis.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for arthritis but there are treatment options that your physician can suggest. Medications for arthritis include anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and biologics, which work with your immune system. In certain cases, cortisone injections may temporarily relieve pain in your joints. In addition, DMARDS (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs) are drugs that work to reduce or prevent joint damage by decreasing pain and inflammation. Also, physical therapy may be helpful to increase mobility and strength.
There are some other measures that you can take to ease the chronic pain of arthritis as well. Some studies suggest that topical capsaicin (compound found in chili peppers) may be useful in treating arthritis. In fact, one study found that patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis reported reduction in pain after using capsaicin for four weeks.
And don’t be afraid to enjoy those hot peppers along with garlic and ginger to increase your circulation. Even more, foods rich in essential fatty acids may be effective in quelling arthritis due to anti-inflammatory properties, especially omega 3s like flaxseed and salmon. Don’t forget other anti-inflammatory foods like pineapple and turmeric.
My hand still aches from time to time but it is nothing compared to what someone with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis goes through. If you experience persistent pain similar to these conditions, seek out your physician immediately.
Do you have arthritis or know someone who does? Hit me in the comments below to tell me about your experience.
