Treatment of Osteoarthritis Swelling

Osteoarthritis generally affects the senior citizens. It causes inflammation of the affected joint and severely restricts the movement. There are three simple ways in which the effects of the disease can be contained considerably.

Osteoarthritis is a painful joint disorder which restricts the movements of the person drastically. Normally, senior citizens are prone to this disease. Due to degeneration of the cartilage between the joints, the movement is adversely affected and in advanced cases this also causes swelling of the joints. The degeneration could be because of usage or due to age. If early remedial action is not taken, the pain becomes enormous. Although there is no cure for Osteoarthritis, It does not mean that the patient has to become motionless. There are three approaches or proactive steps to reduce the impact of Osteoarthritis:

1. Control Pain: The first step is to take anti inflammatory drugs. These drugs are non-steroids. They are also available across the counter like other medicines; Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Acetaminophen. These drugs do not cost much. With these drugs, it will be able to control the pain. But, continuous use of these pain killer drugs has some side effects. Any one who uses these drugs regularly, should have the lever test done at least twice a year. In addition, any person who is using these drugs for a long time should consult the physician and take his advice.
2. Reduce the Osteoarthritis swelling: There are two methods for reducing the Osteoarthritis swelling. Some use hot packs on the affected area, while others use ice packs or cold packs. But, use of ice packs is more effective in reducing the Osteoarthritis swelling. Whether it is hot pack or ice pack, the treatment has to be made regularly, more like a ritual. This will be effective in controlling the swelling.
3. Retaining the Motion: One of the most important approaches in the treatment of Osteoarthritis is to have regular exercises of the joints. Because of the pain, if one tries to restrict the movement of the joint, it only increases the stiffness and may even cause degeneration of the joints because of lack of supply of oxygen to the affected part. One should 'use it or loose it'; if he does not do regular exercise of the affected part, then he has to loose the part permanently. The exercise should be taken in consultation with the physician. The exercise should be such that what the patient can bear. It should not be too strenuous or too much less.

4. Therefore, normal pain killers, regular cold pack and the exercises which the patient can bear are the best treatments now available for Osteoarthritis.