Arthritis
Content
Arthritis
Arthritic Pain
Having pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. For some people, they say “no pain, no gain” and pain is a sign that they have done something to the point of destruction and the body will let you know this. If you are suffering from arthritis you are going to have pain in the joints and this can keep you from doing the things that you want to do. It is important to have pain management so that you can deal with the arthritis and live from day to day with hardly any frustration. Like a red flashing light, pain is going to signal that you need to stop what you are doing and take action about your body’s health. There are a number of things that can cause arthritic pain. Pain can be caused by inflammation in the joints. This type of pain is usually joined by redness and swelling. A second cause is damage to the joint tissue. We usually feel that we have pulled a muscle when this type of pain is occurring and it can be a condition due to stress on a joint or another problem. Pain can also be caused by fatigue. You may simply have a small amount of lingering pain, being tired can make the pain worse. Think of it in terms of a headache at the end of the day when you are tired. Joint pain works in the same way. Depression and stress can cause pain to be more severe than it really is. This is a terrible cycle to start. You will get depressed when you have pain and this will cause you to be more depressed which will cause you to feel even worse. Arthritic pain in people is likely to feel a lot different than other kinds of pain. It is important to have a pain management system. This will also include eating healthier and exercise more to improve the condition. Taking medication will also help. You may also want to use massage to help you with your arthritis as well. Stays optimistic about you’re outlook in life and take on the challenges of pain when it comes. Arthritis is going to be hard but you can overcome it, so that you have a normal life.
Reactive Arthritis or Reiter's Syndrome
There is something commonly known as Reiter’s Syndrome and is a reactive arthritis. It is a type of arthritis that is known by swelling, redness, and heat in the joints. This is going to be especially in the spine and inflammation of other joints, urinary tract and even the eyes. Reiter’s Syndrome is something that is related to the family of different arthritic conditions that is known as spondylarthritis. This is known to bother the spine. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will have fever, swelling, and ulcers in the mouth, weight loss and sores on the skin. With many of the diseases that are known today, Reiter’s Syndrome has no confirmed cause and can affect anyone of any age, gender or race. There are researchers that do believe that Reiter’s Syndrome is due to genetic causes. They seem to run in families. There is about 75% of people who are suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome and have a certain gene that is known to start the condition. This is a painful disease that will affect young men who are white and around the ages of 20 and 40. Reiter’s Syndrome is also known to develop after certain infections in the small intestine, genitals, and urinary tract. It is linked to salmonella contamination, so you need to take measures to avoid this condition by being sure that the food you eat are cooked properly. This disease does affect a number of parts of the body. There are different treatments that must be used to help these patients to be healthy and have normal lives. Medications like NSAIDS that block and stop inflammation in joints and may be used. There are antibiotics and skin medications that are used to clear up the painful sores that will start on the body. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will also see urologists to deal with the urinary tract infections and occupational therapists will take care of the joints. Use dermatological soap to clear up the skin problems and there are physical therapists to teach different exercises that can be done to help lower the pain and swelling in joints. Anyone may also want to see doctors that specialize in the eyes because this is a condition that causes inflammation in this part of the body too. If you or someone that you know is diagnosed with Reiter’s Syndrome called Reactive Arthritis, you need to learn as much about it as you can to live with it and have a normal life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, multi system and inflammatory autoimmune disorder that will bring on an attack to the joints. It is a crippling and painful condition that can lead to loss of mobility due to the pain and joint devastation. Rheumatoid arthritis is systemic and will also affect different tissues through the body, skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles. Rheumatoid arthritis will affect anyone between the ages of 20 and 40 and can start anytime. It is three times more common in women than in men and up to four times more common in smokers than non-smokers. The symptoms will separate rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis because of the inflammation and soft tissue swelling of many joints at the same time. This is known as polyarthritis. The joints are usually affected asymmetrically and then will go on to the symmetrical part as the disease goes on. It is not like the other forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis because the pain will move with the use of the joints that are affected. As the disease goes on, the inflammatory activity will lead to the erosion and destruction of the joints that will impair their range of movement and lead to some deformity. The fingers and the bones will deviate to the outside and towards the small finger and take on unnatural shapes. Having deformities in patients that are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis will include the Boutonnière deformity, the swan neck deformity, and the “Z-thumb” deformity. Because rheumatoid arthritis is a multi system disease, other diseases and conditions may form as a result of it. Many of the people that have rheumatoid arthritis will also have anaemia. Anaemia is a shortage of red blood cells, because there are not enough of them, the low haemoglobin will lower the ability of oxygen to be taken to the tissues. It is a chronic disease and many will suffer from it and splenomegaly or the enlarging of the spleen. Fealty’s syndrome and Sjogren’s syndrome which is an auto immune disorder in which the cells attack and ruin the exocrine glands and produce salvia and tears. Fibrosis may occur in the lungs as a result of different treatments. There are several things to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Having stiffness in the morning that goes on for longer than one hour is an example of arthritis and soft tissue swelling more than three out of 14 joints or in the joint groups. Arthritis of hand joints like symmetric arthritis, subcutaneous nodules in specific places, a rheumatoid factor at a level above the 95th place and radiological changes that are suggested of joint erosion and are part of the criteria. There are at least four of these things have to be met in order to establish a diagnoses. The treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are going to be placed in disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or (DMARDS), anti inflammatory agents and analgesics.
DMARDS is known to start durable remissions and delay the disease process, prevent bone and joint damage as well. Anti inflammatory agents and analgesics can help to improve pain and stiffness but do not stop any damage or slow down the disease in any way.
Sclerodema
A rare problem called Sclerodema is a chronic disease that is known by the excessive deposit of collagen. It is going to affect at least 300,000 people in the U.S. Sclerodema is four times as common in women than it is in men. Having progressive systemic sclerodema is known as systemic sclerosis and it is a common type of disease and can be fatal. Sclerodema will mostly affect the skin and it is most known to have hardening skin and associated scarring. This will give a reddish or scaly appearance. There are blood vessels that may also tend to be more visible. There is fat and muscle wastage that will weaken the limbs and affect their appearance when there is a larger area affected. In most of the serious cases, sclerodema can affect the blood vessels. It is serious because sclerodema goes between two cases. The most important things to know are to consider the level of internal attachment that is occurring under the skin and the total area that is covered by the disease. A person may have only one or two affected areas or lesions or they may have many larger ones. Many people that suffer from sclerodema have Raynaud’s phenomenon and this is an arthritic vascular symptom that can affect the fingers and toes. The hands may have discoloration because of the cold. Raynaud’s phenomenon and systemic sclerodema can be the cause of painful ulcers on the fingers and toes too. Calcinosis is the deposits of calcium around the joints and it is common for the sufferers of systemic sclerodema and can often be found near the elbows, knees or other joints. There are three major types of sclerodema. They are diffuse, limited and morphea sometimes called linear. The first type diffuse sclerodema is a systemic disease. It is the most severe form. It is known by the fast onset and will involve more skin hardening. Diffuse sclerodema will cause severe internal organ damage to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. It is more life threatening. The second kind, limited sclerodema is known as CREST syndrome. CREST is an acronym that stands for Calcinosis that is known as Raynaud’s Syndrome. Oesophageal dysmotility Sclerodactyly and Telangiectasia are the five major symptoms of limited sclerodema. CREST is a systemic disease and is much milder. It has a slow process. The skin hardening is usually just on the face and hands and internal organ process is less severe. The prognosis is much better for limited
sclerodema. There is no cure for this disease but there is treatment for some of the symptoms. These treatments will mean drugs that soften the skin and reduce the swelling. Having heat exposure will also help most of the patients. You need to speak to your doctor about more information on this case.
Occupational Therapy
Once you are diagnosed with arthritis or a similar condition that are caused by discomfort in the form of pain and inflammation of the joints you may want to consider visiting an occupational therapist to learn how to live better life. Home care professionals also can make daily life easier by doing some work for you. With both cases you can live a more fulfilling life with the help of these professionals in the medical field and by the help of your friends, family or domestic worker. Check first before your appointment to see if your occupational therapy is going to be covered by your health care insurance or medical aid. Occupational therapists have a professional license and are trained to help those that are suffering from different disabilities. When you first start to deal with the arthritic pain, you may find that the most difficult thing is not the pain but the loss of your independence. Arthritis can also lead to hand deformities that will make many normal things difficult to do. Arthritis affects all your joints to the point that you will be forced to use a wheel chair later on. A therapist will help you learn different techniques for personal grooming, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and even driving. With there help you can maintain a certain level of independence. There are other home care help that can also be used to your advantage to avoid having to inhabit nursing homes or move in with relatives. Some communities have meals on wheels to help provide dinner. This is a service along with others that is going to help senior citizens who are looking to remain independent. There are also services that send nurses to your home daily to check your vital signs, give you medicine, and to see to your basic needs. When you are suffering from arthritis, some of these things may not be possible on your own. Arthritis does not have to be the end of your happiness. If your condition is severe, occupational help and other home care professionals can help you enjoy a happy and normal life.
Arthritic Pain
Having pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. For some people, they say “no pain, no gain” and pain is a sign that they have done something to the point of destruction and the body will let you know this. If you are suffering from arthritis you are going to have pain in the joints and this can keep you from doing the things that you want to do. It is important to have pain management so that you can deal with the arthritis and live from day to day with hardly any frustration. Like a red flashing light, pain is going to signal that you need to stop what you are doing and take action about your body’s health. There are a number of things that can cause arthritic pain. Pain can be caused by inflammation in the joints. This type of pain is usually joined by redness and swelling. A second cause is damage to the joint tissue. We usually feel that we have pulled a muscle when this type of pain is occurring and it can be a condition due to stress on a joint or another problem. Pain can also be caused by fatigue. You may simply have a small amount of lingering pain, being tired can make the pain worse. Think of it in terms of a headache at the end of the day when you are tired. Joint pain works in the same way. Depression and stress can cause pain to be more severe than it really is. This is a terrible cycle to start. You will get depressed when you have pain and this will cause you to be more depressed which will cause you to feel even worse. Arthritic pain in people is likely to feel a lot different than other kinds of pain. It is important to have a pain management system. This will also include eating healthier and exercise more to improve the condition. Taking medication will also help. You may also want to use massage to help you with your arthritis as well. Stays optimistic about you’re outlook in life and take on the challenges of pain when it comes. Arthritis is going to be hard but you can overcome it, so that you have a normal life.
Reactive Arthritis or Reiter's Syndrome
There is something commonly known as Reiter’s Syndrome and is a reactive arthritis. It is a type of arthritis that is known by swelling, redness, and heat in the joints. This is going to be especially in the spine and inflammation of other joints, urinary tract and even the eyes. Reiter’s Syndrome is something that is related to the family of different arthritic conditions that is known as spondylarthritis. This is known to bother the spine. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will have fever, swelling, and ulcers in the mouth, weight loss and sores on the skin. With many of the diseases that are known today, Reiter’s Syndrome has no confirmed cause and can affect anyone of any age, gender or race. There are researchers that do believe that Reiter’s Syndrome is due to genetic causes. They seem to run in families. There is about 75% of people who are suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome and have a certain gene that is known to start the condition. This is a painful disease that will affect young men who are white and around the ages of 20 and 40. Reiter’s Syndrome is also known to develop after certain infections in the small intestine, genitals, and urinary tract. It is linked to salmonella contamination, so you need to take measures to avoid this condition by being sure that the food you eat are cooked properly. This disease does affect a number of parts of the body. There are different treatments that must be used to help these patients to be healthy and have normal lives. Medications like NSAIDS that block and stop inflammation in joints and may be used. There are antibiotics and skin medications that are used to clear up the painful sores that will start on the body. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will also see urologists to deal with the urinary tract infections and occupational therapists will take care of the joints. Use dermatological soap to clear up the skin problems and there are physical therapists to teach different exercises that can be done to help lower the pain and swelling in joints. Anyone may also want to see doctors that specialize in the eyes because this is a condition that causes inflammation in this part of the body too. If you or someone that you know is diagnosed with Reiter’s Syndrome called Reactive Arthritis, you need to learn as much about it as you can to live with it and have a normal life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, multi system and inflammatory autoimmune disorder that will bring on an attack to the joints. It is a crippling and painful condition that can lead to loss of mobility due to the pain and joint devastation. Rheumatoid arthritis is systemic and will also affect different tissues through the body, skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles. Rheumatoid arthritis will affect anyone between the ages of 20 and 40 and can start anytime. It is three times more common in women than in men and up to four times more common in smokers than non-smokers. The symptoms will separate rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis because of the inflammation and soft tissue swelling of many joints at the same time. This is known as polyarthritis. The joints are usually affected asymmetrically and then will go on to the symmetrical part as the disease goes on. It is not like the other forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis because the pain will move with the use of the joints that are affected. As the disease goes on, the inflammatory activity will lead to the erosion and destruction of the joints that will impair their range of movement and lead to some deformity. The fingers and the bones will deviate to the outside and towards the small finger and take on unnatural shapes. Having deformities in patients that are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis will include the Boutonnière deformity, the swan neck deformity, and the “Z-thumb” deformity. Because rheumatoid arthritis is a multi system disease, other diseases and conditions may form as a result of it. Many of the people that have rheumatoid arthritis will also have anaemia. Anaemia is a shortage of red blood cells, because there are not enough of them, the low haemoglobin will lower the ability of oxygen to be taken to the tissues. It is a chronic disease and many will suffer from it and splenomegaly or the enlarging of the spleen. Fealty’s syndrome and Sjogren’s syndrome which is an auto immune disorder in which the cells attack and ruin the exocrine glands and produce salvia and tears. Fibrosis may occur in the lungs as a result of different treatments. There are several things to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Having stiffness in the morning that goes on for longer than one hour is an example of arthritis and soft tissue swelling more than three out of 14 joints or in the joint groups. Arthritis of hand joints like symmetric arthritis, subcutaneous nodules in specific places, a rheumatoid factor at a level above the 95th place and radiological changes that are suggested of joint erosion and are part of the criteria. There are at least four of these things have to be met in order to establish a diagnoses. The treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are going to be placed in disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or (DMARDS), anti inflammatory agents and analgesics.
DMARDS is known to start durable remissions and delay the disease process, prevent bone and joint damage as well. Anti inflammatory agents and analgesics can help to improve pain and stiffness but do not stop any damage or slow down the disease in any way.
Sclerodema
A rare problem called Sclerodema is a chronic disease that is known by the excessive deposit of collagen. It is going to affect at least 300,000 people in the U.S. Sclerodema is four times as common in women than it is in men. Having progressive systemic sclerodema is known as systemic sclerosis and it is a common type of disease and can be fatal. Sclerodema will mostly affect the skin and it is most known to have hardening skin and associated scarring. This will give a reddish or scaly appearance. There are blood vessels that may also tend to be more visible. There is fat and muscle wastage that will weaken the limbs and affect their appearance when there is a larger area affected. In most of the serious cases, sclerodema can affect the blood vessels. It is serious because sclerodema goes between two cases. The most important things to know are to consider the level of internal attachment that is occurring under the skin and the total area that is covered by the disease. A person may have only one or two affected areas or lesions or they may have many larger ones. Many people that suffer from sclerodema have Raynaud’s phenomenon and this is an arthritic vascular symptom that can affect the fingers and toes. The hands may have discoloration because of the cold. Raynaud’s phenomenon and systemic sclerodema can be the cause of painful ulcers on the fingers and toes too. Calcinosis is the deposits of calcium around the joints and it is common for the sufferers of systemic sclerodema and can often be found near the elbows, knees or other joints. There are three major types of sclerodema. They are diffuse, limited and morphea sometimes called linear. The first type diffuse sclerodema is a systemic disease. It is the most severe form. It is known by the fast onset and will involve more skin hardening. Diffuse sclerodema will cause severe internal organ damage to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. It is more life threatening. The second kind, limited sclerodema is known as CREST syndrome. CREST is an acronym that stands for Calcinosis that is known as Raynaud’s Syndrome. Oesophageal dysmotility Sclerodactyly and Telangiectasia are the five major symptoms of limited sclerodema. CREST is a systemic disease and is much milder. It has a slow process. The skin hardening is usually just on the face and hands and internal organ process is less severe. The prognosis is much better for limited
sclerodema. There is no cure for this disease but there is treatment for some of the symptoms. These treatments will mean drugs that soften the skin and reduce the swelling. Having heat exposure will also help most of the patients. You need to speak to your doctor about more information on this case.
Occupational Therapy
Once you are diagnosed with arthritis or a similar condition that are caused by discomfort in the form of pain and inflammation of the joints you may want to consider visiting an occupational therapist to learn how to live better life. Home care professionals also can make daily life easier by doing some work for you. With both cases you can live a more fulfilling life with the help of these professionals in the medical field and by the help of your friends, family or domestic worker. Check first before your appointment to see if your occupational therapy is going to be covered by your health care insurance or medical aid. Occupational therapists have a professional license and are trained to help those that are suffering from different disabilities. When you first start to deal with the arthritic pain, you may find that the most difficult thing is not the pain but the loss of your independence. Arthritis can also lead to hand deformities that will make many normal things difficult to do. Arthritis affects all your joints to the point that you will be forced to use a wheel chair later on. A therapist will help you learn different techniques for personal grooming, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and even driving. With there help you can maintain a certain level of independence. There are other home care help that can also be used to your advantage to avoid having to inhabit nursing homes or move in with relatives. Some communities have meals on wheels to help provide dinner. This is a service along with others that is going to help senior citizens who are looking to remain independent. There are also services that send nurses to your home daily to check your vital signs, give you medicine, and to see to your basic needs. When you are suffering from arthritis, some of these things may not be possible on your own. Arthritis does not have to be the end of your happiness. If your condition is severe, occupational help and other home care professionals can help you enjoy a happy and normal life.
