Arthritis is a name given to more than 100 kinds of mild to crippling joint problems that cause swelling, pain and stiffness. Three different kinds are most common:
Osteoarthritis: is caused by chips and cracks in the smooth cartilage that cushions the joints. When bone surfaces have too little cushioning, they rub together and may grow bumps, called spurs that irritate nearby tissue. This most often occurs in the hands or in weight bearing joints such as knee and hip.
Rheumatoid arthritis: results when the lining of the capsule around a joint becomes inflamed and thickened, causing swelling, pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis can also inflame the eyes and lungs. Some experts think it's the result of a problem with the body's immune system- the body attacking its own tissue as if they were foreign invaders. It may also be hereditary
Gout: it usually affects men over 40 years of age and is caused by high blood levels of uric acid, one of the body's waste products, which forms crystals in the joints. The immune system tries to defend the body against these crystals and the joints become inflamed and painful. Symptoms of each attack go away within about a week.
Symptoms of arthritis
Osteoarthritis:
- Joint pains that is made worse by movement.
- Stiffness in the morning.
- Knobby growths on finger joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
- Painful, swollen joints that may feel warm.
- Low fever, loss of weight and appetite, feeling sick all over.
- Morning stiffness.
- Skin lumps, often on the elbows, fingers or buttocks.
- Dry, itchy eyes and dry mouth.
Gout:
- Severe, sudden pain in a joint often wrist, big toe, or knee.
- Redness, swelling around the joint.
- Fever.
Prevention:
Osteoarthritis:
- Exercise gently and often to keep your bones and muscles strong. Swimming, biking, yoga, and low-impact or water aerobics are ideal.
- If you weigh more than you should, lose those extra pounds. Too much weight puts added pressure on the joints.
- Try not to do the same movements over and over for instance typing.
- Stand up straight to ease strain on joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
- There are no known ways of avoiding rheumatoid arthritis.
Gout:
- Control your weight, but don't fast; fasting can increase the levels of uric acid.
- If you drink, drink moderately- no more tan 2 drinks a day.
- Avoid protein rich food such as organ meats, shellfish, and beans.
- Drink plenty of water- at least 10 big glasses a day to help flush out uric acid.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Possible Cures
- For rheumatoid arthritis take an aspirin or the anti-inflammatory painkiller recommended by your doctor.
- For osteoarthritis use acetaminophen. If you have a gout, don't tale aspirin
- Apply cold packs to swollen, painful joints or warm packs for stiffness without other symptoms for 10 minutes every hour.
- For pain relief, apply over the counter creams that contain methyl salicylate or capsaicin, a substance in hot peppers.
- Twice a day, put each joint gently through a full range of motion to prevent stiffness.
- Take a warm water shower or bath in the morning to relieve stiffness.
- Enroll in an arthritis self help program or join a support group with other people going through the same things that you are.
- To ease the strain on painful hand joints, use electric can openers and large rubber grips for pens or tools.
- Don't grip objects tightly for a long time .
- Eat more than 2 servings a week of fish rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Get lots of rest.
