Arthritis Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis, but proper treatment can allow you to participate in normal daily activities and can significantly decrease the disease’s symptoms. The treatment options for arthritis depend on the particular type of arthritis you have. For example, treatment for non-inflammatory arthritis may require more rest, because it primarily afflicts the weight-bearing joints. Treatment for inflammatory arthritis, however, usually incorporates more exercise, since inactive periods tend to cause flare-ups. If your type of arthritis benefits from exercise, try exercises that help you maintain normal joint movement, and increase flexibility, endurance, and muscle strength. Cardiovascular exercises are a similarly beneficial part of the treatment routine because they contribute to your overall health and well being. A well-balanced diet will also help you maintain a healthy weight so you don’t put too much strain on your weight-bearing joints.
There are a plethora of medications available for treating arthritis. These medications reduce the symptoms of the disease but don’t eliminate it, except in the case of infectious arthritis, which is caused by an infection such as lime disease. When caught early enough, infectious arthritis can be nipped in the bud with antibiotics that knock out the infection that’s causing the arthritis symptoms.
Medications used to treat arthritis reduce pain and inflammation. Some arthritis medications can even slow down the progression of the disease, thereby restricting further damage to the joints.
Your doctor probably won’t prescribe any medication until he or she has made a definitive diagnosis and identified what specific kind of arthritis you have. That’s because medications can mask symptoms wither by making them go away or causing misleading side effects that may be mistaken for disease symptoms. Side effects of arthritis medications may include headache nausea or upset stomach. If you’re taking arthritis medication and experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor immediately, and ask him or her if he or she can lower your dosage or switch medications altogether.
Analgesics like aspirin, and other steroid-free anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are usually used as pain relievers. These drugs also have the added benefit of reducing inflammation. They are administered orally.
Rheumatoid arthritis is frequently treated with corticosteroids such as cortisone of hydrocortisone because they not only reduce swelling, but also suppress the immune system. It is the immune systems faulty attack on healthy cells that is responsible for the problems that come with rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids come in pill, cream, and injection forms. Their short-term side effects may include mood swings, increased appetite, weight gain, and ironically, increased inflammation. These side effects usually subside. In rare occurrences, the long-term side effects of using a corticosteroid may include extra hair growth, stretch marks, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, osteoporosis, cataracts, or artery damage. The side effects of corticosteroids usually go away when you stop taking the medication, but it’s dangerous to stop taking corticosteroids abruptly. It is far safer to gradually wean yourself off a medication under a doctor’s close supervision.
With some forms of arthritis analgesics and corticosteroids, simply aren’t enough. That’s what heat and cold therapies usually come into play. Applying heat to the effected area increases blood flow and fortifies pain tolerance. Cold therapy serves to numb the nerves around the joint. Other treatment methods include hydrotherapy, mobilization therapy, and relaxing therapy. Work with your doctor to find the most effective and practical treatment method for your particular needs.