Treatment for Arthritis
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 825, Word Count: 1138,
Arthritis attacks the body’s joints making them tender, swollen, rigid, out of their shape, size and function, lose range of motion and causes intolerable pain. There are many kinds of arthritis
- Osteoarthritis-slow deterioration of cartilages on the tip of joint, then they start rubbing each other resulting in injury of articulation, finally scar tissues grow deforming the area.
- Rheumatoid-chronic in nature, occurs when body’s immunity mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint)
- Juvenile-most prevalent type in children
- Fibromyalgia-a painful condition characterized by poor sleep, muscle pain, chronic fatigue
- Psoriatic-similar to rheumatoid, inflammation of joints and sometimes spine
- Pseudogout-result of deposits of calcium phosphate crystals in joints
- Scleroderma-disease of body’s connective tissue, causes hardening and thickening of skin
- Gout-causes severe, sudden pain, redness, tenderness, warmth and swelling in joints
Commonest of them is osteoarthritis Treatment of arthritis depends on the type and severity of a specific kind of arthritis.
Goals of arthritis treatment
- Decrease arthritis symptoms
- Maintain joint functions
- Preserve mobility and range of motion
- Prevent/minimize joint damage and deformities
- Slow progression of the disease
Medications for arthritis
Dozens of drugs are being used. Some reduce inflammation, some control the underlying disease and some relieve pain. The drugs out of which one or a combination of them may be prescribed are painkillers, biologics, steroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Painkillers-They provide pain relief, as the name suggests. Though not widely prescribed, painkilling patches are also useful. They are put on the skin and the slow release into the skin results into painlessness from three to seven days.
- Biologics-Anti TNFs are a type of biological drugs that blocks the action of a chemical called TNF (tumor nerosis factor). They are not suitable for anyone and not free from side effects.
- Steroids-They can be very effective in reducing inflammation and are manufactured versions of body’s natural hormones. Side effects and osteoporosis can occur if taken for long. They can also be injected into an inflamed joint.
- Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)-They work at forms of inflammatory arthritis. They include immunosupprents that damp down the immune system activity. They reduce the disease’s damage by slowing down its progress.
- Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-They reduce inflammation, joint swelling and provide pain relief. Various types of NSAIDs are available
Injections for arthritis
Various types of injections are available which can be given into the joint. Viscosupplementation is a procedure which involves injecting a gel like substance into the joint (currently approved for knee) to supplement viscous properties of synovial fluid.
Surgery for arthritis
It is done only when other medications cease to work or are unsatisfactory and the joint pain becomes so severe that it interferes in one’s daily routine. Any one or more of the following may be done to do the needful-
- Arthroplasty (total joint replacement): Damaged parts of joint are removed and prosthesis made of metal and plastic is inserted.
- Synovectomy (removal of the joint lining): If lining around the joint (synovium) is inflamed and painful, removal of the joint’s lining may be recommended.
- Arthrodesis (joint fusion): To stabilize and realign a joint and for pain relief surgical fusing of a joint may be recommended.
- Tendon repair: Tendons around the joints may loosen /rupture because of inflammation and joint damage, tendons around the joint may be repaired.
Complementary therapies for arthritis
These therapies do not cure arthritis but help people with arthritis to a good extent.
They fall under three categories-
- Medicine and diet related therapies
- Mind and emotion therapies
- Touch, pressure and movement therapies
Some of the therapies popular among people having arthritis are acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, meditation, yoga, massage, Alexander technique, osteopathy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy.
Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis for arthritis
Fasting (complete/partial according to the person’s strength), guggul is a herb that can be taken after meals in 1 to 3 gms a dose twice daily with warm water, intake of sweet lime juice/orange juice/vitamin C liberally, body massage with mustard/sesame oil, light exercise within limits
Home remedies for arthritis
- Half teaspoon of turmeric powder with lukewarm water
- Have alfalfa tea twice daily
- Have two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with two teaspoons of honey with 100ml of lukewarm water, once/twice a day
- Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice, one of honey with some lukewarm water, drink twice daily
- Drink two teaspoon juice of fresh amaranthus daily on an empty stomach
Arthritis is not curable but treatment for arthritis which consists of various medications and therapies available can help protect the joints and make life comfortable for a person suffering with it.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote