Ways to Ease Arthritis Pain

Over 350 million people worldwide are afflicted with arthritis, a disease affecting the joints in the human body. Arthritis is the main cause of disability in people over 55 years of age in industrialized nations. Moreover, the incidence of the disease is expected to rise dramatically in the future, as the populations age.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, and all result in pain, redness and swelling in the affected joints. The initial goal of treatment is to reduce the swelling and inflammation.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a chronic, degenerative joint disease. It results in breakdown of the cartilage between the bones, allowing them to rub together. This results in pain, stiffness and loss of movement.

At present, there is no cure for arthritis, but there are many strategies to make the disease more manageable.

* Keep a positive attitude. Concentrate on the things you can do, rather than on the things you can't.

*Pace yourself. Conserve your energy for those activities that you really need to do, or that you find enjoyable.

* Determine to remain as active as possible. Continue to participate in ordinary activities such as shopping, attending church and visiting family. Avoid social isolation.

* Keep in close contact with your family doctor. He may refer you to a specialist in arthritis, called a rheumatologist.

* Stay as active as possible. A physical therapist can provide an appropriate exercise regimen to help prevent further joint damage.

* Keep a healthy body weight to avoid putting extra stress on tender joints.

* Avoid repetitive motions such as swinging a tennis racket or a golf club. Arthritis can be caused by wear and tear on any joint, so refrain from activities in which you must engage in repetitive actions.

* Heat therapy is helpful: having a warm bath, swimming in a heated pool, using a heating pad or hot water bottle, or sitting in a hot tub.

* Cold therapy can also bring temporary relief by numbing surrounding tissues. An ice pack or ice cubes wrapped in a towel may be used. Neither cold nor heat therapy should last longer than 20 minutes.

* Over-the-counter salves or gels may give temporary relief.

* Some patients find relief through acupuncture, yoga, massage, diet changes, supplements or other non-traditional treatments.

Medications:

(A) Acetaminophen such as Tylenol can relieve pain but does not reduce inflammation. Taking more than the recommended dosage can cause liver damage. It can affect other medications you may be taking. Consult your doctor before starting regular use.

(B) NSAIDs : Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil and Motrin can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Stronger types of NSAIDs are available with a doctor's prescription. Taking the pills may cause a stomach upset, but some of these medications come in a patch or a gel form that may be applied to the skin. Side effects may include ringing in the ears, cardiovascular problems and liver and kidney damage.

(C) Stronger painkillers: for severe osteoarthritis pain, prescribed drugs such as Darvon or codeine may be used. Side effects most often noted are nausea, constipation and sleepiness. There is also a risk of a patient becoming dependent on these medications.

(D) Cortisone injections: after numbing the area, the doctor will insert a needle into the space around the joint and inject cortisone. This will relieve the pain. However, this treatment can only be given several times each year because it may cause further joint damage.

Surgery is an option for patients suffering from severe cases of osteoarthritis. A surgeon can replace the surfaces of damaged bones with plastic or metal devices. Knees and hips are the most common joint replacements, but shoulder, elbow, ankle and finger joints can also be done.

There is much not presently known about arthritis and its causes. Some risk factors have been identified: obesity, joint injury, genetic factors, and stress or repetitive motion to a particular joint. Scientists are constantly seeking new information on the disease and are working to find a cure.

In the meantime, those who suffer from this affliction will benefit from remembering the words of St. Teresa of Avila: "To have courage for whatever comes in life- everything lies in that."