Written By: Abier Hamami.RPH. CPHQ.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation". It causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints which in turn can limit movement.
What are types of arthritis?
There are many types of arthritis (over one hundred and growing). The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an over-active immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
What are causes of arthritis?
The causes of arthritis depend on the type of arthritis, causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout), inheritance, infections, and for unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus).
What are symptoms of arthritis?
Symptoms of arthritis in general include pain, limited function, and deformity of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, tenderness and warmth.
Symptoms in some patients with certain types of arthritis as rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys
Who is affected by arthritis?
Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Making a diagnosis of arthritis often includes evaluating symptoms, a physical examination, and X-rays, which are important to show the extent of damage to the joint. Blood tests and other laboratory tests may help to determine the type of arthritis.
What are the medications used for treatment?
There are lots of medication groups used in treatment of arthritis including:
Analgesics.
Are pain relieving drugs. However, they do not relieve inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the most commonly used analgesic. Narcotic analgesic drugs can also be prescribed for more severe pain as Codeine.Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Are commonly prescribed medications that relieve the inflammation of arthritis. There are 2 types, traditional and new known as COX-2 inhibitors. Examples of the traditional ones are Diclofenac( Voltaren®), Ibuprofen(Brufen®), and of the new COX-2 inhibitors is Celecoxib(Celebrex®). Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs DMARDs.
They suppress the body's overactive immune and/or inflammatory systems in some way, thereby controlling an aspect of the disease process. The most common DMARDs in current use are: Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®), Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®), Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®), Leflunomide (Arava®) and Cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®). Others include Gold salts (Solganal®), Azathioprine (Imuran®), and D-Penicillamine (Cuprimine®, Depen®).Because DMARDs suppress the immune system, always watch for signs of infection – chills, fever, sore throat or cough – and report them to your doctor. You should speak with your doctor before getting any vaccinations while you are taking these drugs.Biologic Response Modifiers (BRMs)
BRMs stop disease progression and, in many cases, initiates a long-lasting remission. They work by inhibiting proteins called cytokines, which contribute to inflammation. Examples are Adalimumab (Humira), Etanercept (Enbrel) and Infliximab (Remicade), Anakinra (Kineret). Corticosteroids (Steroids)
Are related to cortisol, a hormone produced in the body that can reduce swelling and inflammation quickly. It has been determined that the potential for serious side effects increases at high doses or with longterm use. Doctors can prescribe short-term, high-dose intravenous steroids in some situations, or give injections such as Triamcinolone (Kenalog) locally into a specific joint for relief.
Are there non-medication ways for reliving arthritis pain?
Yes you could do the following to relive your pain, but it will not be cured.
Lose weight if you're overweight.Exercise regularly for short periods.Go to a physical therapist if you can.Use canes and other special devices to protect your joints.Avoid lifting heavy things.Avoid overusing your joints.Don't pull on objects to move them--push them instead.Use heat and/or cold to reduce pain or stiffness.
References:
Arthritis FoundationAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeonshttp://familydoctor.org/115.xmlhttp://www.medicinenet.com/arthritis/article.htm
