Understanding and Coping with Arthritis

My grandmother suffered with arthritis in her hip. Whenever the weather was cold, humid or wet, she limped around the house saying, "Oh! This darned hip!" Grandma's arthritis stemmed from an injury she sustained when she was a young woman. But it never stopped her from doing things she wanted to do.

Arthritis can be a painful, debilitating disorder but by understanding your specific type of arthritis and recognizing your symptoms, you can find the right coping methods to assist you in living a regular life.

What is arthritis? Essentially, arthritis is an inflammation in the joints. There are two main types: (a) osteoarthritis which develops from the regular stresses we put on our bodies from day-to-day; and (b) rheumatoid, which is an autoimmune disorder. Researchers have found that some other types of arthritis can develop as a result of uric acid crystals, infection or disease.

What causes arthritis? Often, arthritis occurs as a result of damage to one of three different areas in the joints (cartilage, joint capsule or synovium). These different areas all work together to help our joints move effectively. In the case of osteoarthritis, the damage can cause the cartilage to break down resulting in no cushioning between bones. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system actually attacks the joint parts, resulting in destruction of cartilage or even the bone in the joints.

Women are more vulnerable to developing arthritis as our calcium, which keeps the bones, muscles and joint strong, depletes as we age. Other risk factors include a family history of arthritis, age, previous injury to the joints and obesity.

What are the symptoms of arthritis? The most common symptom are pain in, and swelling of, the joints. Other symptoms include stiffness, redness and decreased range of motion.

In more severe cases of the disease, a patient may actually find it difficult to handle regular activities since, depending on the location of the arthritis, it can be painful to walk, hold proper posture, sit, or pick up/hold objects. In the worst cases, the joints can actually become bent or twisted.

How do I cope with arthritis? There are several ways to help relieve the painful and uncomfortable symptoms arthritis as well as to help to increase joint function. Trying various methods, or a combination of methods, patients will find what works best in her situation. The following are the most common forms of treatment:

Medication - there are several different types available and are prescribed based on the indivdual's form of arthritis. Some of the most common include over the counter pain relievers (eg: Tylenol), anti-inflammatory drugs, ointments or creams, disease-modifying drugs or corticosteroids.

Physical therapy - exercises can help keep the joints' range of motion as well as to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints.

Surgery - in more severe cases, a doctor may suggest either joint fusion or joint replacement surgery.

Changes in lifestyle - simple things such as losing weight, increasing daily exercise and food choices can all help reduce symptoms. As well, using specific assisitive devices (eg: canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) or cold/hot pads can help on days when the pain and swelling are worse.

Alternative medicine - MayoClinic.com suggests a few alternative remedies that have shown to help relieve discomfort for some patients: (a) acupuncture - needles are used in specific areas of the body to relieve pain; (b) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - this is a device used to attempt to block the pain signals to the brain. A small device is placed near the point of pain where small electrical pulses are administered; and (c) stretching exercises - activities like yoga, tai chi, pilates and similar exercises that help to stretch the muscles, increase range of motion and tap into the joints seem to help relieve arthritis symptoms in many patients.

Just as in my grandmother's case, arthritis can be a painful and debilitating disease. But with the right coping strategies, as well as a complete understanding of your form of arthritis, you can live a fuller life.

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SOURCES:

MayoClinic.com - Arthritis