Arthritis: A killer of strength
By Amos Oloruntobi ARTHRITIS is simply an INFLAMMATION of the joints. Inflammation is a condition of any part of the body consisting of congestion of the blood vessels with the obstruction of blood current and growth of morbid tissue. Inflammation is manifested outwardly by redness and swelling, attended with heat and pain. Based on data […]
By Amos Oloruntobi
ARTHRITIS is simply an INFLAMMATION of the joints. Inflammation is a condition of any part of the body consisting of congestion of the blood vessels with the obstruction of blood current and growth of morbid tissue. Inflammation is manifested outwardly by redness and swelling, attended with heat and pain.
Based on data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), during 2016 – 2018, an estimated 58.5 million US adults (23.7%) had ever been told by a doctor (doctor-diagnosed) that they had some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.
There are over 100 types of arthritis but has two most common types which includes RHEUMATOID and OSTEOARTHRITIS.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: This is an autoimmune disease , which means that the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, in this case mostly the joints , the eyes, lungs, and blood vessels are affected. It’s also considered as a systemic disease, meaning that it can affect the entire body. There are number of different risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis including GENDERS, AGE, GENETICS, people who have a family history of the disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
There are many different medications that can be used to treat this disease. Some of the most common medications are disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are used to slow the progression of the disease. There are also biologic drugs, which are a newer type of medication that targets specific parts of the immune system. In addition to medication, there are also lifestyle changes that can help manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. These include exercise, getting enough rest, and eating a healthy diet.
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA): This is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees.
With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. These changes usually develop slowly and get worse over time. OA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks or work.
The symptoms includes the following:
Pain or aching
Stiffness
Decreased range of motion (or flexibility)
Swelling etc
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
There is no cure for OA, so doctors usually treat OA symptoms with a combination of therapies, which may include the following:
Increasing physical activity
Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises
Weight loss
Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
Supportive devices such as crutches or canes
Surgery.
Generally, arthritis can be managed through the usage of the following medications:
Analgesics: These reduce pain. However, they have no effect on inflammation. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and tramadol (Ultram).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These reduce both pain and inflammation. NSAIDs include available to purchase over-the-counter or online, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Some NSAIDs are available as creams, gels, or patches, which can be applied to specific joints.
Counterirritants: Some creams and ointments contain menthol or capsaicin, the ingredient that makes hot peppers spicy. Rubbing these on the skin over a painful joint can modulate pain signals from the joint and lessen pain.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These are used to treat RA. DMARDs slow or stop the immune system from attacking the joints. Examples include methotrexate (Trexall) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).
Biologics: These are genetically engineered drugs that target various protein molecules involved in the immune response. Examples include etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade).
Corticosteroids: prednisone and cortisone reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.
NATURAL TREATMENT INCLUDES
A healthful, balanced diet, along with appropriate exercise and avoidance of smoking and drinking too much alcohol can help people with arthritis maintain their overall health and reduce symptom severity.
Eating some types of food may help reduce inflammation.
The following foods, found in a Mediterranean diet, can provide many nutrients that are good for joint health and can help relieve joint inflammation.
fish
nuts and seeds
fruits and vegetables
beans
olive oil
whole grains
On the other hand, people living with arthritis should avoid or limit eating processed foods, foods that contain added sugar, and refined carbohydrates. actually make arthritis inflammation worse.
Oloruntobi is a 300 Level Student of Prince Audu Abubakar University, Kogi