Arthritis as a Common Disease

Definition of Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disease and definition of Arthritis is clearly started with the signs of swelling and the inflammation of joints which often results in pain and restriction of movement. Well known form of arthritis is Osteoarthritis (break down of the cartilage in the joints). And another diversification of joint disease is called Rheumatoid arthritis of which signs are inflammation of tissue lining the joints and serious cases inflammation of often tissues. Persisting inflammation leads to spread over the pain in the joints causing erasure destruction of the bones and cartilage. Further to be notified, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system begins to attack its own organs such as joints, bones and internal organs. Despite the fact that, no one knows the definite reason for the rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis

You able to indulge any of the following experience while you are ailing from arthritis.

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Stiffness specifically morning session
• Light warmth around the joint
• Redness of the skin around joint
• Retardation of joint movement.

Effects of Arthritis

Effects of Arthritis depend on breakdown in cartilage or inflammation. While human beings are habituating to their formal work the pressure, sock, infects etc, is occurring in the time of pressure on the place of a joint and enables smooth movement by absorbing sock. Unless the adequate amount of cartilage, the bones are starting converge very closely. By the results of that pain, swelling and stiffness are increasing. Joint inflammation cause for various reason consisting broken bone (severely give a way to arthritis, viral and bacterial infection.

While the immune system starts to attack internal organs of the body by assuming the own parts as foreign agents), general damage and torn on joints. Inflammation will be uprooted by healing with the appropriate treatment or by the removal of infection with effective medications. Sometimes, injuries and diseases will persist to the inflammation and swelling or sore cartilage is destructed and long term annoyance/pain will induce to some worst deformity. When this happens the disease is identified as chronic arthritis. Another classification of arthritis is notified by the increasing of age or the verge of completion of adulthood. Its signs are exhibits in the sensibility or in the common part in hips, knees and fingers.

Types of Arthritis

There are various forms of Arthritis have been recognized so far. But, in according to the notification of the above statements arthritis are diversified in to four main categories.

Osteoarthritis:

Most common form of arthritis results pain and limited motion. Mostly in weight bearing joints. So, obesity, aging and sports may the inducing factors to this form of Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Conventionally, rheumatoid factor considered as a chronic condition which predominantly affects the joints of hands and feet. Sometimes, elbow, shoulder and neck also being affected. Most of the patients are unable to work as time passes by.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:

It’s also like rheumatoid arthritis, auto immune disease but, mostly affects children on their knees.

Infectious Arthritis:

Joint infection causes inflammation which leads to this type of arthritis. It often requires surgery to clean the infection from joint.

Diagnosis of Arthritis

If you meet a doctor to cure a problem first, you have to put in the picture your symptoms in your movement and activities to accomplish a successful diagnosis by the doctor, whether it is arthritis or musculoskeletal problem. Another step to be taken by the doctor that, the physical examination to see if there is any fluid collecting around the joint (an abnormal build up of fluid around the joint is called “joint effusion”). Joint may be torn when gently press it may also be seen by slightly warm and reddish.

You will be able to find painful or difficult to rotate the joint in some direction. This is known as a limited range of motion. After completion of the physical examination you have to answer some questions by the doctor to diagnose the proper disease and for render adoptable medications. Depending on the suspect of your symptoms, significantly you will have to undergo a blood test and joint x-ray. You may also need to co-operate to a joint fluid test for infection and for other causes of arthritis, such as crystals which cause gout.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment of arthritis is clearly giving a way to the safe movement of joint or high prevention of damage. Even, if you don’t have joint symptoms and signs you have to tell of about your family history if any one was ailing by arthritis, which was affected in your family members even in your early ancestry. Another worst part of this disease is caused very devastating deformity if the disease is not treated by a proper time and medication. Likewise, excessive use of your joints may induce the osteoarthritis. So, you have to be very attentive on doing all works by using damaged or sore joints. Spontaneously, hinder the abundant repetitive motions. Surplus of weight also augments the risk for developing osteoarthritis in knees, hips and hands.

Medical Treatment For Arthritis

Medical treatment for Arthritis is different from one another because the severity of arthritis is taken under consideration to redress. You have to identify and estimate your working routine whether it is hard or slight. Because your daily activities are momentous in your arthritis effect. Another one, your age and occupation will also to be scrutinized while you are collaborating with a doctor for the purpose of apt medications and treatment.

Sometimes, the treatment is not fully acknowledged or partially determined the cause is not curable as with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The life style changes are playing key role in curing the arthritis and other forms of joint inflammation even without medications.  You have to consult your doctor without hearing any informal advice from any other individuals other than medical experts.

There are some kinds of Arthritis medications available to deal with.

Arthritis Drug Treatment

Analgesics:

Analgesics are the most widely-used drugs for many forms of arthritis. These are designed purely as pain killers. Best option for Arthritis pain relief.  Analgesics can be taken without any problems, but should follow the recommended dose. Acetaminophen is a Non-Narcotics analgesic also available in the markets largely due to low cost and safety. These are recommended as first-line medication option for osteoarthritis by Rheumatologist. 

Acetaminophen and combination (with aspirin and or caffeine) medicines are available as over-the-counter medicines which do not require any prescription. But, Acetaminophen with codeine, Propoxyphene or Narcotics requires a prescription. Here your are some well-known Analgesics,

Acetaminophen- Tylenol, Paracetamol, Panadol

Codeine – Tylenol

Propoxyphene/Acetaminophen- Darvocet

Propoxyphene-Darvon

Oxycodone/Acetaminophen- Percocet

Oxycodone/Aspirin-Percodan

Tramadol/Acetaminophen-Ultracet

Tramadol-Ultram

Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen-Vicodin

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Commonly prescribed drugs for arthritis. Low doses can help to reduce headaches, muscle aches and minor pain. These can be used to treat joint inflammation at higher doses under the supervision of your doctor. Long term usage of these drugs can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Commonly prescribes NSAIDs are as follow for your information.

Ibuprofen- Motrin, Advil

Naproxen- Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan

Flurbiprofen-Ansaid

Diclofenac-Voltaren, Zipsor, Cataflam

Sulindac-Clinoril

Oxaprozin-Daypro

Etodolac-Lodine, Lodine XL

Piroxicam-Feldene

Indomethacin-Indocin

Ketoprofen-Orudis, Oruvail, Actron

Meloxicam -Mobic

Nabumetone- Relafen

Fenoprofen- Nalfon

Tolmetin-Tolectin

In addition, there are some combination drugs available to prevent the gastrointestinal side effects. For instance

Diclofenac/Misoprostol- Arthrotec

Naproxen/Lanprozole-Prevacid NapraPAC 500

Naproxen/Esomeprazole-Vimovo

There are three main types of NSAIDs, and they work by blocking a substance which generates the inflammation, muscle cramp and fever, known as Cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Mainly two types of Cox enzymes have been recognized so far such as cox-1 and cox-2. So, it’s better to use Cox inhibitors as a treatment option. But these have been identified to cause some stomach problems. More to the point, Rofecoxib (vioxx) and Valdecoxib (bextra) have been withdrawn from markets by the results of FDA order. And Celecoxib is the only brand available at markets at present. FDA recommends prescribe this drug at a lowest possible dose and for a shortest duration.

Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs):

These drugs used to save the joints and tissues from permanent damages cause by Rheumatoid arthritis. And these drugs can delay the disease progression and also can cause some side effects may include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe lung infection.

So, DMARDs require close surveillance like full blood count, liver function test, and urea and electrolyte level test. Commonly used DMARDs are as follow,

Azathioprine-  Azasan, Imuran

Auranofin- Ridaura

Cyclosporine-Gengraf, Neural, Sandimmune

Penicillamine- cuprimine, depen

Hydroxychloroquine-plaquenil

Sulfasalazine-azulfidine

Mynocycline-minocin

Leflunomide-arave

Methotrexate-trexall

Supplements for Arthritis

Some supplements can be used to control the arthritis pain especially in osteoarthritis. These are available as over the counter nutraceuticals and vitamins. Glucosamine and Chontroitin are nutraceuticals found in stores as CosaminDS, Osteo bi-flex, Pryflex, Relamine and Shiff move free (chonroitin/glucosamine), same(s-adenosylmethionine). Further, bioflavanoids are available on various brand names like amino-opti-c, limbrel, p-1000, pan-c500, peridin-c and span-c.

As non treatment option, lifestyle changes are seen as primary option. This includes exercise, heat and cold treatment as pain relievers, good nutrition, weight control and usage self-help devices.

Surgery

There are plenty of surgeries options are being used to replace or repair damaged joints. As like, arthroplasty, arthroscopic, cartilage restoration, osteotomy and arthrodesis. Though, surgical options are very expensive, need to be carried out to severe and debilitating cases.

So, its better to consult with your doctors as immediately as possible you have noticed any symptoms and or signs to prevent worst effect of any disease.