Got Pain?
According to the Arthritis Foundation, 50 million Americans suffer from one form of arthritis or another. There are three main forms of the disease: osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or juvenile arthritis (JA).
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is one of the oldest forms of arthritis, affecting the bones, joints, muscles, cartilage or other connective tissues. The disease causes stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. The most common causes of OA are age, obesity, injury or overuse, genetics and muscle weakness. Some early symptoms are joint soreness after periods of overuse or inactivity, stiffness after periods of rest that goes away when activity resumes or morning stiffness. Most treatment plans include exercise, weight control, physical therapy and medications.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
RA is a form of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. For some unknown reason, in RA, the body attacks and destroys its own tissues. Researchers have detected a genetic marker that may be linked to RA and have identified some bacteria or viruses that might be linked as well. RA can’t be cured but can be managed if diagnosed early. Some symptoms may be warm joints with swelling and pain, and the condition is usually found in joints on both sides of the body. Some people may feel fatigued, feverish and experience a loss of appetite. RA is usually treated with medications, along with exercise to increase strength and flexibility.
Juvenile Arthritis:
JA is a term used to describe any type of arthritis in someone under the age of 16. Generally, a child is diagnosed with this if there is swelling in a joint for at least six weeks. Sadly, the cause is unknown. Sticking to your child’s daily routine and comfortable habits is most important. Helping your child cope with chronic illness is another important aspect. Unfortunately, there is no cure, so the goal of treatment turns to managing symptoms, such as relieving inflammation, controlling pain and improving the quality of life. Most plans include physical activity, eye care and healthy eating.
For more information on arthritis, you may want to visit the following websites: www.Arthritis.org or www.Arthritis.com. If you have further questions or may suspect you suffer from arthritis, please visit with your doctor. Finally, remember that motion is lotion!
Melanie Yunger is a local wife, mom and nurse practitioner.