LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS: UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING THE CONDITION

By Louise Whiteside

If you suffer from arthritis, you are certainly not alone! Millions of adults in the United States live with the debilitating and painful condition, many of whom feel helpless in coping with and managing its symptoms. Even though arthritis is not preventable, a greater understanding of its characteristics can help reduce its impact. 

UNDERSTANDING ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of your joints, causing; chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis will be the main subject of discussion in this article.

Osteoarthritis, the most frequently observed type of arthritis, causes cartilage, the gel-like shock-absorbing material between joints, to wear away, causing bone to grind against bone. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Redness

• Decreased range of motion

RISK FACTORS FOR ARTHRITIS

• Family History — Arthritis is more likely to occur when parents or siblings are affected by the disease.

• Age — Although arthritis can occur at any age, it is most common after age 45.

• Sex — Women are more likely to develop arthritis than men.

• Previous joint injury — People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to develop arthritis in that joint.

• Obesity — Excess body weight puts stress on joints, especially in knees, hips and spine.

MANAGING ARTHRITIS

The first step in osteoarthritis treatment is managing your pain, followed by gaining strength through physical therapy and addressing lifestyle issues such as weight management and smoking cessation.

Exercise: Commit to a gentle exercise regimen, such as walking, swimming, biking or yoga. The better your physical condition, the less pain and stiffness you will have.

WEATHER

Pain can be triggered by changes in the weather. A sudden increase in humidity and a drop in air pressure can affect blood flow to arthritis joints. Your air conditioner or dehumidifier can help dry out the air.

PAIN RELIEVERS

• Glucosamine and chondroitin can reduce pain and slow cartilage loss.

• SAM-E has been shown to help relieve arthritis pain by increasing blood levels of proteoglycans – molecules that seem to play a key role in preserving cartilage.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Eat cold water fish, such as salmon, to relieve pain and stiffness, or take 2,000 mg. of an Omega-3 supplement three times a day. (If you take blood-thinning drugs, check first with your physician.)

• As an Alternative – Take one tablespoon of flaxseed a day.

• Heat and Cold Relief – Heat can relieve pain. Take hot baths or showers; use a heating pad or hot packs. Cold Treatment: Wrap an ice cube in a towel or washcloth and apply to painful areas, to relieve joint inflammation.

• Gloves – Wear a snug-fitting pair of gloves to bed to relieve stiff or swollen hands.
  
• Rub-On Relief – Rub Capsaicin on skin. This irritates nerve endings, diverting brain attention away from arthritis pain. Alternatively, rub oil of wintergreen or eucalyptus oil into skin, or rub topical DMSO with aloe vera on affected joints.
  
• Use over-the counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as Ibuprofen. 

POWER OF PREVENTION

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Invest in a pair of walking shoes.

• Take 500 mg. of vitamin C daily

Hopefully, a fuller understanding and careful management of your arthritis can help to provide ease, comfort and relief from pain in your life.

Louise Whiteside, a longtime resident of D.C. and Maryland, now resides in the Colorado Rockies where she loves memoir writing, bargain hunting, cooking, country music, theater and travel.