If symptoms continue over a two-week period necessitate a visit to your doctor.
Most Common Kind Of Arthritis
Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disorder which is also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis.
This type of arthritis afflicts over 20 million people in the United States. It is usually associated with advanced age, but can also be caused by obesity and athletic injuries.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Autoimmune Disease
Another common type of the disease is Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder suffered by 2.1 million of the United States population. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s immune system to attack joint, cartilage and ligament cells, resulting in chronic inflammation which damages the joint and its surrounding areas. Apart from the systemic effects of the disease in severe cases, deformity and disability can occur.
No Known Cure
Medical science has yet to discover a cure for arthritis. The most that can be done to remedy the disease is to alleviate the accompanying pain while preventing the occurrence of deformity and debilitation. Successful management of arthritis depends on two crucial factors: early diagnosis of the disease and administering an aggressive treatment plan.
Undertaking An Aggressive Treatment Plan
During the process of diagnosing and evaluating your condition, your physician may recommend an aggressive type of treatment to manage your symptoms. While prescriptive drugs like aspirin, Tylenol or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may provide mild relief, this conservative form of pain and inflammation relief may not be enough, particularly for more severe or advanced cases of arthritis.
Aggressive treatment may involve prescribing methotrexate or Arava. These two medications fall under the classification of DMARDS (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).
Your doctor may also advise incorporating TNF blockers of biologics, a more recent class of anti rheumatic drugs, like:
Another kind of medication, Prednisone, is also used for aggressive reduction of arthritis. At present, there are drugs currently under development to treat the disease. Meanwhile many other different remedies like exercise programs, physical therapy, surgery and other supplementary care regimens may be used as complimentary support in the management of arthritis.
Diagnosing Arthritis
If you have been suffering from arthritic symptoms for over two weeks, or suspect that you have the disease, you should schedule a visit to your doctor. You doctor will conduct a thorough examination and assess your medical history. If necessary, you will need to have x-rays and submit to laboratory tests for a more accurate and comprehensive diagnosis. Expect to undergo basic and complicated lab and x-ray checks to confirm any indications of abnormal inflammation or signs of damaged or eroded joint tissue.
Seeing A Rheumatologist
Doctors who treat arthritis and arthritis-related disorders are called Rheumatologists. Their specialty is the diagnosis, treatment and management of arthritis, and your internist or family practitioner may refer you to one.
Arthritis Fast Facts
- In the United States, an estimated 66 million adults in 2005 reportedly suffer from arthritis and other chronic joint symptoms.
- Of these 66 million, nearly 43 million have been medically diagnosed as arthritis.
- The remaining 23 million continue to suffer chronic joint pain without consulting a medical professional.
- The disease has been considered the number one cause of disability among Americans 15 years and older.
- Arthritic sufferers are predominantly women.
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