2023-06-24 07:02:06
Main points of the article:
There are several types of arthritis, each of them has a different cause and different treatment. Non-steroidal drugs, steroid drugs, antibiotics and biological therapy can be used against arthritis. It is impossible to recover from arthritis, except from idiopathic arthritis that occurs in children.
______________________________________
Arthritis – symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis are manifested by joint pain (for example in the knees, palm, etc.), with a feeling that the limb is stiff and inflexible, sensitivity to pain, limited movement, the skin around the limb is red and warm to the touch, the limb feels weak.
Sometimes there are several inflammations in several different organs, and it is difficult to focus the pain or the feeling of stiffness and say exactly where it hurts. An attack of arthritis pain usually lasts several weeks, but this varies from person to person and from one type of inflammation to another.
Arthritis – diagnosis
If symptoms of arthritis have appeared, you should see your family doctor immediately. The doctor will perform a physical examination, check the joints for swelling and to assess their flexibility, and also ask questions that he will cross with the information he has from the physical examination. It is important to tell the family doctor about all symptoms, not just those that seem to be related to the disease. In this way, the doctor will be able to form an opinion and send you for further relevant tests such as blood tests, ultrasound, MRI and more.
Blood test results – arthritis
There is no specific blood test that can prove or rule out a diagnosis of arthritis, but there are several blood tests that can show an indication of a state of inflammation, for example an ESR test that shows the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and evaluates the level of inflammation in the body.
Types of arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis – The most common arthritis, which mainly affects the joints. The disease usually causes hot, swollen and painful joints, which worsen after rest. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the hands and wrists.
lupus – commonly known as systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the body, instead of attacking external “threats” such as viruses for example. The joints are often the first to be attacked and joint pain is among the first symptoms of lupus.
Psoriatic arthritis – Long-term arthritis that appears in people after being affected by the autoimmune disease psoriasis. It is easy to identify the inflammation by the fingers, which looked swollen and had a sausage appearance.
Psoriatic arthritis appears following psoriasis. Photo: Shutterstock
Idiopathic arthritis – Appears in children, usually up to the age of 16. Those affected by it complain of persistent joint pain, they suffer from swelling and tenderness in the affected areas. Today, the disease is treated with medication, with some children recovering from it completely.
Gout – Inflammatory arthritis associated with excess uric acid in the blood and metabolism in the body. The disease affects several systems in the body, especially the various joints. The disease is offensive and manifests itself in severe pain and swelling in the joints.
Reactive arthritis – Also known as Reiter’s syndrome, a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body, usually an infection in the urinary tract and/or the digestive system. Any contact with bacteria and the development of an infection may trigger the disease in the body.
Arthritis in pregnancy – Pregnancy may cause joint pains, which do not necessarily indicate inflammation. The pains are usually related to the loosening of the joints before the birth, as well as changes in walking, posture and weight gain. First onset of arthritis during pregnancy is very rare.
However, arthritis can arise during pregnancy: the weight gain adds pressure to the knees and causes the joints to move. Water retention in the body can increase stiffness in the feet, hips, knees and ankles and can even worsen carpal tunnel syndrome. Such physical changes can trigger dormant arthritis.
Arthritis in children
The most common type of arthritis in children is idiopathic arthritis, also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis in childhood can cause permanent physical damage to the joints that may make it difficult for the child to do routine things, such as walking or dressing, and may eventually also cause disability. However, the drugs today are very effective and can bring relaxation and relief from the disease. In addition, a significant number of children are completely healthy and no longer need medication at all.
Arthritis – treatment
Medicines achieve short-term pain relief, including pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe cases, steroid drugs are given, sometimes even directly by injection. Sometimes, in the case of an infection, antibiotics are given.
Sometimes there are several inflammations in different organs and it is difficult to focus the pain or the feeling of stiffness and say exactly where it hurts. Photo: Shutterstock
A certain type of arthritis can be treated with biological drugs, which reduce the inflammatory reaction and also prevent the penetration of inflammation into the organs. This treatment is intended for patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In many cases, the symptoms of arthritis can be reduced through weight loss – excess weight causes additional pressure on the joints. Also, regular exercise can help keep the joints flexible. Heating pads or ice packs may help relieve arthritis pain.
Arthritis – nutrition
Arthritis creates a state of chaos in the body, which often manifests itself in diarrhea or constipation. Therefore, it is important to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, foods with a lot of protein, dairy products, nuts, legumes and grains – all of these will help maintain good general health, a normal weight and a balanced metabolism. You should eat, for example, spinach, kale and broccoli – excellent sources of vitamins E and C. Vitamin E works to protect the body from pro-inflammatory molecules. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, which is a main component of cartilage that helps keep joints flexible.
Arthritis – natural treatment
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are natural approaches and remedies that can help relieve symptoms such as swimming, acupuncture, and massage that can help relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling. Physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, electrical nerve stimulation are treatment approaches to relieve the pain of the disease.
Cannabis and arthritis
Although medical cannabis cannot cure arthritis or slow the progression of the disease, research shows that it can help relieve arthritis pain as well as treat sleep problems and anxiety, the increase of which exacerbates attacks.
Arthritis – recovery
In recent years, drugs have been developed that help deal with arthritis, the symptoms and the pain. The treatments have also improved greatly in recent years and it can be safely said that probably in the coming years a solution may be found that will allow not only relief of the symptoms, but a complete recovery. As mentioned, there is one type of arthritis that can be completely cured – idiopathic arthritis that occurs in children.
What should you not eat when you have arthritis?
Foods that are best avoided when suffering from arthritis:
Sugar – Sugar is not beneficial in any health condition, but in the case of arthritis it is really not recommended: excessive consumption of processed sugar causes the body to release pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines, which are also high in the condition of arthritis.
Processed and red meat – There are studies that link red meat and processed meat to inflammation, which may increase the symptoms of arthritis.
Foods containing gluten – Sometimes changing your diet and switching to a gluten-free diet can relieve arthritis symptoms, especially in people with gluten sensitivity.
Foods high in salt – Reducing salt intake will help reduce symptoms such as calcium loss from the bones, osteoporosis and risk of fractures. People with rheumatoid arthritis may feel the effects of salt even more, since the medications they take cause the body to store more sodium.
What tests detect arthritis?
X-Ray – X-rays can show joint changes in certain types of arthritis.
ultrasound – Ultrasound makes it possible to check the quality of tissue, tendons, ligaments and bones.
MRI – can diagnose the type of inflammation, follow its development in the body and understand which treatment is appropriate for the patient.
arthroscopy – A procedure that inserts a diagnostic device into the patient’s organ.
Questions and Answers
What is arthritis? Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints – the point where two bones meet, for example the elbow or the knee. There are many types of arthritis, the causes of which are different and the treatment is different accordingly.
How is arthritis diagnosed? Doctors usually diagnose arthritis using the patient’s medical history (complaints of joint pain in the past), physical examination, X-rays, and blood tests. Some patients may have several arthritis at the same time.
(Photos: Shutterstock)
#Doctors #arthritis #diagnose #treat