Anyone who experiences arthritis knows it can be quite painful, unpredictable and particularly difficult to find the best treatment. With such a painful disease commonly affecting our residents and families, we took some time to look at arthritis and its causes, common forms of treatment for arthritis, and different ways you may be able to find arthritis relief.
Arthritis affects over 50 million adults in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Despite how common this category of disease is, many people remain largely unaware of arthritis’ causes. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Deterioration of cartilage on the ends of bones causes this degenerative form of arthritis, often leading to weakness in joints and pain, swelling, and stiffness over time. The many other types of arthritis fall into three other categories: inflammatory arthritis, infectious arthritis, and metabolic arthritis.
When it comes to treatment for arthritis, there are many different approaches based on the type of arthritis that a patient has. Typical treatments for arthritis aim to reduce joint pain in arthritis sufferers, as this is typically the most straightforward means of arthritis relief. Other means of treatment for arthritis, in cases of rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis, include various drugs that intervene against your immune system, preventing it from attacking your own inflamed joints. Ultimately, the right individual treatment for arthritis comes down to the type and severity of arthritis of each individual.
Aside from these treatments, in cases of mild and moderate arthritis, self-management of symptoms can be the best way to find arthritis relief. This relief typically comes from finding the right balance between exercise and rest. The right exercise can strengthen your muscles and joints, and activities like yoga can improve your strength and range of motion in the affected joints. Activity that provides arthritis relief must also be balanced with adequate rest, pain management, and sleep to ensure that symptoms of arthritis are not exacerbated by overuse.
If you’re seeking treatment for arthritis, talk to your doctor today to find an effective treatment regimen that suits your needs. In the meantime, arthritis shouldn’t be considered a life-limiting diagnosis. Acknowledge it, then take the first step toward a better – and possible longer – life and give us a call at Lake Gibson Village at 863-815-6195 or visit us anytime at lakegibsonvillage.com.