Arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation and is not a single disease. It affects over 30 joints and can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Read our guide to: Arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation and is not a single disease. It affects over 30 joints and can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Treatment and Care Options
Treatment for arthritis is highly individualized and focuses on managing pain, reducing inflammation, and maintaining joint function. Your doctor will work with you to create a comprehensive plan.
Professional Medical Treatments
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises are crucial for maintaining range of motion, building muscle strength, and reducing stiffness.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide temporary, localized relief in severely inflamed joints.
Supportive Self-Care Tips
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduces stress and load on weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat (like warm baths) can loosen stiff joints, while ice packs can reduce acute inflammation and pain.
- Low-Impact Exercise: Activities such as swimming, cycling, and gentle stretching are excellent ways to keep joints mobile without causing excessive stress.
What Causes Arthritis?
Arthritis is not a single condition; it is an umbrella term for joint problems. The causes are complex and often involve a combination of factors that affect how the body's immune system interacts with the joints, leading to inflammation.
- Wear and tear on the cartilage protecting the ends of bones (osteoarthritis).
- Immune system overreacting and attacking the joint tissue (rheumatoid arthritis).
- Genetics and predisposition to autoimmune diseases.
- Lifestyle factors, such as excess weight or prolonged inactivity, which can put stress on joints.