By Fred Cicetti
It seems to me that arthritis is a catch-all term for all kinds of aches and pains. What exactly is arthritis?
Each of the 100+ forms of arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three most common forms among seniors – osteoarthritis is the most prevalent. None is contagious.
Three Ways to Manage and Prevent Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage—the cushioning tissue within the joints—wears down, producing stiffness and pain. The disease affects both men and women. By age 65, more than 50% of us have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. While you can have it in any joint, it usually strikes those that support weight. Common signs include joint pain, swelling, and tenderness. However, only a third of people whose x-rays show osteoarthritis report any symptoms.
Treatments include exercise, joint care, dieting, medicines and surgery. For pain relief, doctors usually start with acetaminophen (Tylenol), because the side effects are minimal. If acetaminophen does not relieve pain, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be used. The dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are used by many who say the supplements can relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
Exercise for Joint Pain and Stiffness
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, characterized by inflammation of the joint lining, is very different from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the immune system turns against the body, and it not only affects the joints, but may also attack other parts of the body such as the lungs and eyes. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also feel sick.
There’s a symmetry to rheumatoid arthritis. For example, if the right knee is affected, it’s likely the left knee will suffer, too. Women are much more likely than men to get rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include exercise, medication and surgery. Reducing stress is also important, as with other autoimmune conditions. Some drugs for rheumatoid arthritis relieve pain; others reduce inflammation. Then there are the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can often slow the disease.
Debunking 5 Common Misconceptions About Gout
Gout
Gout usually attacks at night. Stress, alcohol, drugs or an illness can trigger gout. It’s caused by a build-up of crystals of uric acid in a joint. Uric acid is in all human tissue and is found in foods.
Often, gout affects joints in the lower part of the body such as the ankles, heels, knees, and especially the big toes. The disease is more common in men. Early attacks usually subside within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment, and the next attack may not occur for months or even years.
Most people with gout can control their symptoms with treatment. The most common are high doses of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids), which are taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint. Patients often begin to improve within a few hours of treatment.
