Some Types of Arthritis Hurt More Than Others

Arthritis is a very painful condition, but some types of arthritis will hurt more than others. Most types of arthritis are related to a specific source of pain. Some come from swelling of the joints in the knees and hands. These are, in fact, the most common areas affected by arthritis. Other arthritis pain can be caused by tiredness, or inflammation of the membranes surrounding the joints, tendons, and ligaments. The people who suffer the worst are those that have multiple forms of arthritis. Two of the most common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it affects millions of Americans as well as others around the world. Osteoarthritis is very painful and can be debilitating for all of these people. Rheumatoid arthritis is slightly less common, but is even more painful than osteoarthritis. If you have both of these forms of arthritis, you are most likely living in constant pain. The pain from these two forms of arthritis can be very intense and difficult to alleviate. Doctors who treat patients suffering from arthritis pain will try to determine which particular types of arthritis the patient has. This allows them to better prescribe treatment or medications to deal with the pain.

It is obvious that because there are different types of arthritis, there must also be different remedies. Doctors will work with patients to try and diagnose the specific form of arthritis they have because different painkillers or treatment regimens will target different areas or different forms of arthritis. There are many treatment options available, and some will work better on inflammation, for example, while some will better treat fatigue related symptoms.

Doctors must also consider the pain level of the arthritis patient. Those who have slight pain from aching joints may be able to get by with an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol or Excedrin. They may not even need to be on medication all the time, but can take it only when the pain becomes less bearable.

When the arthritis is more severe, and the pain is more intense, the doctor may prescribe cortisone injections directly into the affected joints. This can be a great way to alleviate pain in those joints. Other remedies may include prescription of a strong narcotic drug to help the person deal with the pain.

Pain management clinics are springing up for people who have had trouble finding the right remedy for their arthritis pain. The staff in these clinics specialize in managing pain. Notice that I said "managing" pain, not alleviating it. The pain clinic personnel will explain to their patients that there is no permanent cure for arthritis, and that they need to manage the pain. Pain clinics are able to test and examine their patients to find the perfect relief for their arthritis pain. They do not generally drug the patients so severely that they cannot function.

Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition, but the methods of dealing with the pain, and the remedies to alleviate it are constantly improving. If you suffer with arthritis pain, you'll be pleased with the advances of modern science in this area.