Which Arthritis Treatment Is Best For You
There are many different arthritis treatment depending on the severity of the arthritis. Arthritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of a joint or joints causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Severe arthritis can be crippling and can affect a person at any age. Arthritis treatment can help ease the pain of arthritis and prevent more damage to the joints. Arthritis affects approximately 350 million people worldwide. Common forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and juvenile arthritis. There is no known cure for arthritis. Therefore, arthritis treatment is based on pain reduction, the prevention of further joint damage and loss of joint function. There are several treatment options for arthritis. Reduction in joint stress is one treatment option that can ease the pain on the joints. Usually weight loss is recommended or avoiding certain activities that may put stress on a joint should be avoided.
Other arthritis treatment options are physical therapy and occupational therapy. With physical and occupational therapy the goal is to learn to protect your joints. An occupational therapist can show you ways to make it easier to do your normal activities, avoiding positions that strain your joints. Medication therapy is another form of arthritis treatment. Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation in joints. In more advance cases corticosteroid joint injections may be recommended to help ease the pain and stiffness of affected joints. In severe cases surgery can be another form of arthritis treatment. Generally surgery is only used if other treatment methods have failed. Synovectomy is a type of surgery where the damaged connective tissue lining a joint cavity is removed which allows the body to regenerate new healthy tissue in its place. This operation helps to relieve excruciating pain and also helps to prevent further damage to nerves or blood vessels. There are also alternative arthritis treatments which include herbal remedies, mental stress relief, eating certain foods to alleviate arthritis symptoms and certain exercises to reduce stress.
Before deciding on an arthritis treatment course it is important to get medical advice and a correct diagnosis. Arthritis is not preventable however many people are able to prevent disability with a good treatment program and live a healthy and active lifestyle. | ||
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