Helpful Tips for Arthritis Sufferers

Arthritis is a disease that affects men and women alike. Although it is more common in adults, children are not immune from it. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects children before age 16. Juvenile arthritis can affect children as young as six months old. In all cases arthritis results from inflammation of the joints and can result in joint pain and swelling. We all know that we have cartilage between our bones that protects the joints where the bones meet, and allows the joints to move more smoothly. When one suffers from arthritis, it is as a result of a breakdown of the cartilage between the bones. One can imagine then that cartilage breakdown causes the bones to rub together and as a result we get the inflammation, pain and stiffness.

My dad suffered from chronic rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. To a certain extent and in hindsight, we would all probably agree that his own negligence in treating his symptoms at an early stage resulted in the long suffering that he endured as a consequence. For a long time my dad ignored the symptoms of arthritis because he just felt it was not worth making a big deal about. Was he in pain? I am sure that he was throughout the progression of his illness. As the pain grew progressively more intense his complained less and less, always thinking that it could be worse, and was trying to make the best of a bad situation. I guess he had a really high tolerance for pain because by the time he went to the doctor, there was not much that could be done to reduce his discomfort. His knee was totally disfigured. Every painful step that he took was like a torturous ritual of bone grinding on bone according to what the x-rays showed and to the doctors disbelief. Yet, when the doctor suggested that he must be in a lot of pain he still waived it off as being bearable and that it was not a big deal. When dad was out of ear shot the doctor confided that regardless of what Dad says, he must be and has been in a lot of pain for a really long time. That was really hard to hear. The disease, therefore, its symptoms and treatment are things that we need to be aware of and pay attention to just in case we or our loved ones must deal with the disease.

Below are some of the symptoms that we should be aware of. Many of these symptoms can be observed with the naked eye or can be felt. We have to be vigilant and seek professional help early as soon as we begin noticing these changes in either our own bodies or those of our loved ones.

Joint pain - This can be felt. Also we know by observing or listening and paying attention to the person experiencing the discomfort and talking about it

Joint swelling - can be observed or the arthritis sufferer might experience discomfort or tightness in the joint first and then observe the swelling

Limited ability to move the joint-- The joint feels different from before the illness. May happen slowly over time

The skin around a joint develops some redness in color-- The way that we know about this is by paying attention to changes in our bodies

Stiffness-- This usually happens after prolonged sitting. May also be felt in the mornings after the joints have been in the same position for some time

Increased temperature around the joint -- usually fells warmer to the touch

All of these symptoms are very easy to feel or observe but because they are so routine they can easily be missed also. The types of treatments that are used for arthritis depend on the stage at which one is with the illness when they are seeking treatment. The earlier arthritis symptoms are recognized and treated, the more functional the patient is over the course of the illness.

Disabled World News (2010-06-21) lists some of the treatments for arthritis to include:

Rest

Relaxation

Exercise

Proper diet

Medication

Instruction about the proper use of joints and ways to conserve energy.

The article also mentions other more invasive treatments that include the use of methods to relieve pain, and assistive devices such as splints or braces. Although the treatments seem relatively routine, in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. It is up to doctors and patients to work together to develop a treatment plan that helps the patient maintain or improve his or her lifestyle.

It is generally understood that the treatment of arthritis is not a one size fit all. When one looks at the treatment options, they mostly seem non-invasive. This would suggest that early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference in the quality of lives of arthritis sufferers although none of these will actually cure the disease. Be observant and get to a health professional early.