ARTHRITIS

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BY DR. BEHROUZ HASHIM

Arthritis is a disease of the joints. Painful, stiff joints are the most common signs of arthritis. Other signs are swelling, warmth, and redness in the joints. People often have trouble moving the joints normally.

Arthritis is a problem for many adults age 50 and older. About 25 percent of people have some form of arthritis. It can affect people of all ages and races.

Why do people get arthritis?

  • They put stress on the joints over time.
  • They are overweight.
  • It runs in their family.
  • They are women. Women are affected 2-3 times more often than men.

How can the doctor tell if I have arthritis?

This can be tricky. Other diseases can have the same signs. The doctor will:

  • Ask about your health history.
  • Do an exam and look at your joints.
  • Order lab tests of blood or urine samples.
  • Order x-rays or other tests to see inside the joints.

Questions the doctor might ask

  • Is the pain in one or more joints?
  • When do you have the pain?
  • How long does the pain last?
  • What were you doing when you first had the pain?
  • Does moving around make the pain better or worse?
  • Have you been sick or had any accidents?
  • Has anyone in your family had arthritis?
  • What drugs are you taking?
  • Does anything make it better?

What are the treatments?

  • Rest
  • Exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • Weight loss
  • Medicines
  • Heat and cold
  • Learning how to relax deeply
  • Canes, splints, or other items to take stress off the joint
  • Injections
  • Surgery

What can I do to help my doctor help me?

  • Help plan your treatment.
  • Ask questions.
  • Understand your treatment plan.

Follow directions for taking your medicine.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

 

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects a joint, allowing it to move smoothly. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, such as when you walk. Without the normal amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

Joint inflammation may result from:

  • An autoimmune disease (the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue)
  • Broken bone
  • General “wear and tear” on joints
  • Infection, usually by bacteria or virus

Usually the joint inflammation goes away after the cause goes away or is treated. Sometimes it does not. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Arthritis may occur in men or women. Osteoarthritis is the most common type.

 

Symptoms

Arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. Symptoms can include:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint swelling
  • Reduced ability to move the joint
  • Redness of the skin around a joint
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Warmth around a joint

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history.

The physical exam may show:

  • Fluid around a joint
  • Warm, red, tender joints
  • Difficulty moving a joint (called “limited range of motion”)

Some types of arthritis may cause joint deformity. This may be a sign of severe, untreated rheumatoid arthritis.

Blood tests and joint x-rays are often done to check for infection and other causes of arthritis.

Your doctor may also remove a sample of joint fluid with a needle and send it to a lab for examination.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent further joint damage. The underlying cause cannot usually be cured.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Lifestyle changes are the preferred treatment for osteoarthritis and other types of joint inflammation. Exercise can help relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength. Your health care team can help you design an exercise program that is best for you.

Exercise programs may include:

  • Low-impact aerobic activity (also called endurance exercise)
  • Range of motion exercises for flexibility
  • Strength training for muscle tone

Physical therapy may be recommended. This might include:

  • Heat or ice
  • Splints or orthotics to support joints and help improve their position; this is often needed for rheumatoid arthritis
  • Water therapy
  • Massage

Other recommendations:

  • Get plenty of sleep. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night and taking naps during the day can help you recover from a flare-up more quickly and may even help prevent flare ups.
  • Avoid staying in one position for too long.
  • Avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on your sore joints.
  • Change your home to make activities easier. For example, install grab bars in the shower, the tub, and near the toilet.
  • Try stress-reducing activities, such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi
  • Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, which contain important vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.
  • Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, and herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola) oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.
  • Apply capsaicin cream over your painful joints. You may feel improvement after applying the cream for 3-7 days.
  • Lose weight, if you are overweight. Weight loss can greatly improve joint pain in the legs and feet.

MEDICATIONS

Medications may be prescribed along with lifestyle changes. All medications have risks, some more than others. It is important that you are closely monitored by a doctor when taking arthritis medications.

Generally, over-the-counter medications are recommended first:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually tried first. Take up to 4 grams a day (two arthritis-strength Tylenol every 8 hours). Do not take more than the recommended dose or take the drug along with a lot of alcohol. Doing so may damage your your liver.
  • Aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can relieve arthritis pain. However, they have many potential risks, especially if used for a long time. Potential side effects include heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding from the digestive tract, and kidney damage.

Prescription medicines include: THIS ONLY YOUR DOCTOR WILL PRESCRIBE.

It is very important to take your medications as directed by your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines you are taking, including vitamins and supplements bought without a prescription.

SURGERY AND OTHER TREATMENTS

In some cases, surgery may be done if other treatments have not worked. This may include:

Expectations (prognosis)

A few arthritis-related disorders can be completely cured with proper treatment.

Most forms of arthritis however are long-term (chronic) conditions.

Complications

Complications of arthritis include:

  • Long-term (chronic) pain
  • Disability
  • Difficulty performing daily activities

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor if:

  • Your joint pain persists beyond 3 days.
  • You have severe unexplained joint pain.
  • The affected joint is significantly swollen.
  • You have a hard time moving the joint.
  • Your skin around the joint is red or hot to the touch.
  • You have a fever or have lost weight unintentionally.

Prevention

Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent joint damage. If you have a family history of arthritis, tell your doctor, even if you do not have joint pain.

Avoiding excessive, repeated motions may help protect you against osteoarthritis.