Arthritis Awareness

Articles

May 1

Affecting approximately one in four adults in the US, arthritis is of the most common health conditions. During the month of May, we participate in Arthritis Awareness Month in an effort to draw more attention to this chronic condition and help more people in our communities understand it. Generally, arthritis is an inflammatory or degenerative condition which affects the joints throughout the body. It can be isolated to one area or spread throughout multiple regions of the body. The cartilage tissue begins to break down in the body, which increasingly causes pain in the joints over time. There are many different forms of arthritis which can occur in individuals of all ages.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis comes in a variety of forms and can affect an individual’s ability to engage in their normal routine. While some conditions result in chronic, lifelong pain, others may experience symptoms intermittently. In addition to causing pain throughout the body, arthritis can result in lasting damage in some organs, eyes, or even in the skin.

Inflammatory Arthritis

Normally, the body’s immune system works to fight off infection through inflaming the area. In the case of arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the healthy joint tissues and causes an unwanted breakdown. This inflammation can spread to other areas of the body such as the eyes, heart, or other joints. Common examples of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid, psoriatic, gout, or ankylosing spondylitis.

Metabolic Arthritis

In some cases of arthritis, pain is due to a build up of uric acid in the body. As these crystal-like acids build up over time, they can accumulate in the joints and result in arthritic pain. In some individuals, uric acid production is too high, and the body is unable to process it before it has a negative impact. Gout is one example of uric acid buildup in the body, resulting in pain and inflammation.

Degenerative Arthritis

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. In this case, the cartilage that acts as a joint cushion is slowly worn down. As a result, bones in the joints are in direct contact each other, which can be extremely painful. Typically, affected areas will become stiff, swollen, and weakened.

Infectious Arthritis

Inflammation can occur in the body due to foreign bacteria or virus. Some forms of bacterial infections such as salmonella can lead to infection in the joints. Hepatitis C and some sexually transmitted diseases can also infect and inflame the joints to create an infectious arthritis condition.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Understanding what arthritis is can help individuals be more aware of symptoms as they occur. As the body reacts to the inflammation in the body, an individual might experience tenderness or swelling at the joints, pain, stiffness, or have difficulty with mobility. Although it is normal to experience some stiffness as we rise for the day in the morning, particularly for individuals of advanced age, stiffness lasting an hour or longer is likely an indication of arthritis.

Managing Arthritis

Chronic pain can be take a toll on other areas of your life, including mental health. It is important to address all aspects of your life in regard to arthritis in order to take a holistic approach in managing this condition.

Well-Being

The stress of coping with chronic pain can sometimes lead to more stress. The pain associated with arthritis can be amplified when an individual is overly stressed or anxious. In cases of inflammatory arthritis, stress hormones can trigger an immune response which causes additional inflammation to occur throughout the body. One critical aspect of managing arthritis is tending to your emotional well-being through mindfulness practices, exercise, and self-care.

Pain Management

Joint pain can create difficulty in simply carrying out everyday tasks or routine actions. For individuals with inflammatory arthritis, mitigating inflammation through recommended medication is necessary to manage pain. For cases of degenerative arthritis, exercises to increase mobility and strength along with assistive accessories may be necessary to prevent ongoing damage to the joints.

Diet

As with so many other chronic health conditions, arthritis may be affected by what you eat. Diet is such a key element to our overall health, so making smart dietary choices contributes greatly to pain management. Focusing on eating foods which promote anti-inflammatory properties will support the body over time. Examples of anti-inflammatory foods include: fish, soy, olive oil, cherries, yogurt, broccoli, green tea, citrus fruit, whole grains, legumes, garlic, and nuts.

Activity

It is important for everyone to maintain a practice of regular exercise in order to promote better health. For individuals with arthritis, it can be difficult to find exercises which are low-impact and do not exacerbate existing pain. One option which allows for minimum impact and joint support is swimming. Walking can provide a great solution for those without access to a pool, however walking downhill should be avoided. Yoga is a wonderful option for a home practice which provides a slow and meditative workout which can be modified to suit any ability.

Occupational Therapy and Arthritis

An occupational therapist assesses the needs of the individual and how their current abilities are impacted by conditions such as arthritis. Upon receiving occupational therapy, individuals may be introduced to new ways of adjusting or implementing activities into their normal routine to increase independence. Working with an occupational therapist should begin as soon as possible following onset of arthritis.

Physical Therapy and Arthritis

Depending on the ability of the individual, a physical therapist may apply a treatment plan which includes strengthening exercises, mobility exercises, or ways to adapt and continue physical activity regularly. Arthritis can affect the body in many ways, including your posture or ability to walk. Physical therapists may recommend the use of assistive equipment, such as a walker, to prevent additional damage and ensure the safety of the individual.

If you or someone you love experiences pain due to arthritis, work with an occupational or physical therapist from the exceptional team at Tilton’s Therapy. We serve regions throughout Northern Nevada, Southern Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii and can assist individuals with arthritis pain.