Recognize Arthritis Symptoms

Joints which are inflamed and sore, possibly with swelling and stiffness, are probably showing the symptoms of arthritis. There are many different sorts of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most numerous. While the causes differ, the visible symptoms are very similar between the two. If you are diagnosed with arthritis, you would be well advised to explore all the different methods you can to treat this painful condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a problem in the immune system where the body turns on itself. Arthritis can appear in any joints in the body but is most often found in the knees, hands and hips. Sadly there is no cure for arthritis at this time and if it is not treated it will only deteriorate further but there are various ways to get relief from the unending pain.

Osteoarthritis is caused by degenerative wear and tear in the joints, from constant use over many years, which is why it happens most often in elderly people. Its onset can be hastened by certain types of incidents in one's younger life,such as accidents or sporting injuries. In an arthritic joint, the adjoining bones grate together and fluid forms, which causes inflammation and swelling.

Because of their speed and convenience, NSAIDs are the preferred choice of many people when it comes to selecting their arthritis treatment. Celebrex, ibuprofen and naxproxen are the drugs most commonly taken. These drugs do not cure the trouble and the relief is only temporary but they do ease the inflammation and the stiffness, swelling and pain. Many individuals who suffer from arthritis in any form take NSAID drugs on a daily basis in order to function at anything approaching an acceptable level. This a very grave situation, because the dangerous side-effects posed by these drugs are not well-known and are certainly not publicised by the manufacturers.

These drugs are not the only means of relieving the pain and stiffness in the sore parts. Not many sufferers are aware of the strong anti-inflammatory properties of many ordinary foods. There is a wide range of foods, including fish, vegetables, spices and herbs, all of which will benefit your general health, as well as forming an important part of your arthritis treatment.

If you can include a weight-loss element into your daily intake (if you need it!), then this will reduce the strain and impact on your joints. Your hips, knees ankles will feel most benefit, because those joints bear the most weight.

Corticosteroids are another class of drugs that help to reduce swelling and give some pain relief. These treatments are generally more powerful than NSAIDs and have options in how they are administered. Steroids can be taken orally or injected into the body. Certain ones, such as hydrocortisone may be injected directly into affected joints. Many sports stars perform with cortisone injections when they are suffering injuries and sometimes cause more harm as a result.

Exercise and regular movement of arthritic joints is often avoided or ignored, because it invariably brings on more pain and discomfort. When joints become arthritic, the old byword, "Use it or lose it, " becomes a hard and fast truth. You should avoid exercises which cause impact on the joints, which is a major cause of the arthritis initially. Water aerobics, in a pool, is virtually ideal for arthritis sufferers, because the water supports the joints and makes a wider range of movement possible, without undue pain.

As a last resort, patients with osteoarthritis may benefit from surgical treatments and joint replacements. In these procedures, the arthritic joints are removed from the body and metallic or plastic replacements are inserted and matched to the bones to construct an artificial joint that is less likely to suffer pain from swelling. This option is very much a last resort and involves more pain in the short-term, possible substantial expense and a long recovery period, with no guarantee of success. Take a good look at all alternative arthritis treatments first.