Many people think that arthritis is a single condition that causes joint pain in older adults. However, this is not the whole story, as Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that can affect a wide range of people including children.
Arthritis can often seriously affect the quality of life of the person experiencing it, although there is a range of treatments on offer that provide some relief. Keep reading to find out more about the condition and the treatments available.
WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?
When you hear someone mention arthritis what they usually mean is joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, but the severity of these symptoms will differ from person to person and in terms of the type of arthritis that is present. For example, Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that impacts adults at any age, with it presenting most commonly after 40 and before 60.
Some types of arthritis can also have a lasting effect on the body, including bone spurs, and even damage to the internal organs including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and eyes.
WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?
There is no single cause for arthritis. Instead the reasons it can develop differ according to the type present. Osteoarthritis tends to be caused by wear and tear of the joint over time, this is why it is most commonly seen in older adults.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the body’s defense system is overactive and begins to attack the body itself. There are even infections that can cause arthritis to develop. Most commonly the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is involved.
HOW CAN THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH ARTHRITIS BE MANAGED?
Many forms of arthritis also mean pain for the person that suffers from them. Sometimes the pain can be both severe and chronic which can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. However, some strategies can be used to treat and reduce arthritis pain. Keep reading to find out both the traditional medical approaches and more complementary solutions that can often be combined (under a doctor’s advice) with the former for greater efficacy.
TRADITIONAL WAYS TO TREAT ARTHRITIS PAIN
The medical approach to arthritis pain consists of one or more of the following options: medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
Medication
There is a range of medications used to treat arthritis on the market. These drugs tend to fall into one of three categories – painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and drugs that act on the autoimmune system.
Painkillers
Medications that act to reduce pain, run the gamut of over-the-counter products like acetaminophen, all the way through to prescription-only opiates like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol. However, the prescription of opiates tends to be reserved for the most serious cases, as it can cause physical or mental dependence.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs come in two types: Corticosteroids, and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As you might expect Corticosteroids are a form of steroid that counters inflammation. Whereas Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs fulfill a similar function, but without the use of steroid-based medication. The added benefit of choosing Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat arthritis is that they also help with pain reduction.
Drugs that act on the autoimmune system
Last of all, for the treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, drugs that work on the autoimmune system are used. These tend to be Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which slow the immune system and so reduce the damage being done to joints.
However, biologic response modifiers are sometimes used in combination with Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The benefit of this is that they can be genetically engineered specifically to address the issues of the individual that will be taking them.
Physical therapy
In addition to medication, physical therapy can also be useful for some types of arthritis. This is because it can help improve muscle strength, and restore at least some motion to the joints.
Surgery
The last traditional treatment for arthritis is surgery. Surgery tends to be recommended in cases where other treatments haven’t proved effective. Doctors will usually recommend one of three types: joint fusion, joint repair, or joint replacement.
Joint fusion is when two bones are fused, and is usually used for smaller joints such as toes. Joint repair is when the bone is resurfaced, which can help fight pain and restore mobility. Lastly, joint replacement is when a damaged joint is removed and then replaced by an artificial one. Hips and knees are the most replaced joints.
COMPLEMENTARY WAYS TO MANAGE ARTHRITIS
Exercise
When suffering from joint pain, you may think that the last thing you want to do is exercise, however, it can be a very useful tool when managing arthritis. The reason that exercise can be so helpful is that it helps to strengthen muscles around the affected joint, which provides you with more support. What’s more, regular exercise can help with weight management, which means less strain will be placed on your joints.
Of course, exercise is also great for busting stress and improving mood, two things that can also have a positive impact on the pain associated with arthritis. Although, those with the condition should always start gently and check with their GP, physiotherapist before embarking on any new exercise regime.
Massage therapy
Another possible complementary therapy for the relief of arthritis is massage, with many people reporting that they find it helpful. The main benefit of massage therapy is suggested to be the stress relief that it provides, something that can help lessen the pain as well.
The best way to seek out massage therapy is to speak to your doctor and discuss whether a referral to a professional who is experienced in dealing specifically with those with arthritis is a good idea.
Always ensure that they are trained professional, ideally as an osteopath or chiropractor registered with their corresponding medical regulatory bodies, the General Chiropractic Council and the General Osteopathic Council.
Magnetic therapy
Magnets have been used since the time of the ancient Greeks to deal with medical issues such as joint pain. A 2009 study also suggested that magnets may help to reduce inflammation, a finding which could be helpful for some people suffering from arthritis, though it should be noted that the study suggested that this could be down to the placebo effect alone.
There is some anecdotal evidence that magnetic fields encourage capillaries in the body to dilate and so providing more blood to the affected areas, though this remains largely unproven. That said, studies have found no adverse effects of magnetic therapy.
So, when used in conjunction with many of the more traditional forms we mentioned, magnetic therapy is perhaps worth a try. It is even possible to buy magnetic bracelets that can be worn close to the affected site. Such bracelets even come in a range of colours and styles, so you don’t even need to sacrifice your style to get the benefits of this form of therapy.
Acupuncture
The jury is still out on whether there is enough scientific evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for arthritis. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that it helps to balance energies in the body and reduce pain.
Meditation
Another helpful approach to arthritis pain is meditation. Indeed, there are both mental and physical elements at play here.
The mental benefits of meditation, and especially mindfulness meditation, is that it can teach those practising it how to better relate to the pain. The idea is that while pain is present in the body by exploring it and experiencing it rather than pushing against it we can better accept the sensations without letting them limit our life.
The physical benefits of meditative practices such as yoga, and tai chi include greater flexibility and muscle strength which can help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Also, the stress-reduction that many people experience when meditating can help to reduce the symptoms of inflammation in the body, and so in turn have a positive effect on some types of arthritis.
Eat well
While it is common knowledge that the food we eat can affect our health, the impact of the diet of those with arthritis can be more pronounced than many. In particular, foods that support the immune systems and reduce inflammation such as fresh fruits and vegetables are beneficial here. Indeed, some studies have shown that a plant-based diet can be particularly helpful for those struggling with arthritis symptoms.
On the other hand, foods that are known to cause an inflammatory response such as sugar, red meat, are best avoided when arthritis is present.
Herbal supplements
Many people also use herbal supplements to help manage their arthritis pain and symptoms. Although, it is worth noting that once again, the evidence here is mostly anecdotal rather than scientific.
However, if you would like to explore the herbal route you may wish to try supplements such as stinging nettle, ginkgo, devil’s claw, and turmeric.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Arthritis can be a painful and challenging condition to face. There is also no one size fits all treatment. However, there is a range of treatments and therapies available, which can help to reduce pain, increase mobility, and maximize the quality of life of the person suffering from one of the many forms of the condition.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*