Arthritis consists of more than one hundred conditions that might be diagnosed as arthritis. There are painful syndromes such as fibromyalgia and arthritis related disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus that involve every part of the body. There are relatively mild disorders such as tendonitis or bursitis or a more crippling form of rheumatoid arthritis. And other arthritic conditions, like osteoarthritis-the” wear and tear" condition- that some people think is the only form of the disease. Common to all is the joint and musculoskeletal pain, which is why they are all grouped together as arthritis, "arth" meaning joint and "itis" meaning inflammation.
The purpose of pain is to signal your brain to do something such as pulling away from a hot iron if you burn yourself. The type of pain associated with arthritis is different. It can be accompanied by pain that can't always be relieved easily. Becoming inactive and reducing the use of the joint can actually worsen the pain. Management is essential.
Pain from arthritis is caused by several factors.
1. Inflammation-the process that causes the joints to redden and swell.
2. Damage to joint tissue- resulting from the disease process, which can make the pain seem worse.
3. Fatigue-coming from the disease process can make your pain seem worse and harder to handle.
4. Depression or stress- following limited movement or no longer doing activities you enjoy, you can get caught up in depression that makes managing pain even more difficult.
Not all pain is alike, so see your doctor. The recommendations from your doctor will depend on the type of arthritis you have. It is best to rely on dependable treatments but alternative therapies such as acupuncture can be considered. Herbal remedies should be used with caution and from reputable manufactures. Daily doses of the following have been advised.
1. Calcium, 600 mg twice a day
2. Magnesium, 400 mg a day
3. Vitamin D3, 1,000 IU a day
4. Omega-3, 2 g distilled fish oil or 600 mg DHA
5. Vitamin C, 500 mg twice a day
6. Aspirin, 162 mg a day
Depending on the type of arthritis you have your doctor might prescribe;
1. Acetaminophen
2. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or Motrin
3. Opiates
4. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate colchicine
5. Steroids- orally or injected directly into the joint
6. Epidural injection in the spinal space
7. New immune system modifying drugs- especially for rheumatoid arthritis.
Increased body weight has a negative effect on arthritis, walking and water exercise is recommended. Riding a reclining bike and low impact exercise such as tai chi is also good.
A last option for some arthritis patients is surgery. If you do not respond to treatment and are still in pain a joint replacement may be considered. It is important to stay active and not let pain prevent you from living as full a life as possible... If your pain is not under control, talk to your doctor about updating your pain management.
