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The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it is often used to refer to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout. Most forms of arthritis are associated with pain that can be divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is temporary. It can last a few seconds or a few minutes but diminishes as healing occurs. Acute pain is associated with burns, cuts and fractures. Chronic pain, such as that felt by people with arthritis, ranges from mild to severe and can last days, months, years or even a lifetime. Here at ArthritisAide.com, a website devoted to providing information about all types of arthritis, we offer resources and assistance to answer your most difficult questions concerning arthritis.
From definitions and symptoms, and from research cures to finding the right doctor this site is for you! Advice is available to help you cope with arthritis pain and there are hundreds of free resources to assist you in finding the correct treatment, the proper diet, the most viable exercise plan, and which questions to ask your doctor about this disabling disease.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among adults. More than 20 million people in the United States, alone, have the disease. By 2030, according the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 20 percent of all Americans--about 70 million people--will have passed their 65th birthday and will be at a higher risk of osteoarthritis. This disease affects each person quite differently. In some people it progresses quickly and in others the symptoms are much more serious. Medical practitioners do not yet know what causes arthritis, but they suspect a combination of factors including: being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from work or sporting activities.
There is no single treatment that applies to everyone who suffers from arthritis. With your personal input, a medical specialist will develop a management and treatment plan designed to minimize your specific pain and improve the function of your joints. A number of treatments can provide short-term relief. They include: medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, the use of hot and cold packs, using a splint or a brace to protect painful joints, or a muscle relaxing massage.
In the long-term, pain relief may be found with: new drugs, called biological response modifiers, which reduce inflammation in the joints; corticosteroids such as Prednisone; weight reduction; dietary changes; exercise; and even surgery to replace a joint that has badly deteriorated. In some instances, nutritional supplements may be helpful.
The role you play in planning your treatment is very important. You and your health care providers must work together closely to develop a personalized and effective treatment program and this site can be of great assistance. Research has shown that patients who are well informed and participate actively in their own care, experience less pain and make fewer visits to the doctor. Use this site to find information, resources and to do your own research to find answers to your most demanding questions about arthritis. Take a few minutes, browse the site and gain the knowledge you need to become a more involved patient.
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