Treating the aches of arthritis
Posted by Dennis Mundt on
More than 50 million Americans suffer from some type of arthritis, making it one of America's most frequent medical problems.
There are many forms of arthritis, and different types of medical problems can arise in every form.
The osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and crystalline arthritis are the three most common types of arthritis.
OA can cause both stiffness and joint pain, and decreased motion range.
Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis is a condition which causes joint pain and swelling.
In RA, the immune system attacks the synovium, the tissue that lines the joint, causing inflammation that damages both bones and cartilage.
The joint can get damaged or even destroyed if untreated.
Inflammatory arthritis is far less common than OA but affects more than one million Americans.
Crystalline arthritis, for example gout, is a painful disease caused by crystal deposits in the joint.
In gout the crystal is made of uric acid, which in the affected joint causes swelling, redness and extreme pain.
In cases of severe illness, joint replacements may be done.
Medications can manage rheumatoid arthritis to reduce swelling and eliminate future damage but it is very important to treat early.
Those who smoke are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
If you have any type of arthritis already, exercise can help you manage your symptoms as movement can help you maintain muscle strength and relieve stiffness.
Another important step toward managing your arthritis is to follow the treatment plan as directed by your doctor.
A healthy lifestyle and consultation with your health care provider can help protect you from damage to arthritis and help you manage the symptoms.
Read the original article "Treating arthritis aches" at https://columbustelegram.com/news/local/treating-the-aches-of-arthritis/article_ba799830-fc9f-5a47-a3ee-344cdad60090.html
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