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Arthritis Care
Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints. Uric acid crystals, which form when there's too much uric acid in your blood, can cause gout. Infections or underlying diseases, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis. Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include:
Risk factors for arthritis include:
Here are some do's and don'ts to help you
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Everyday routines.
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Pay attention to your joints, whether sitting, standing or engaging in activity.
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Keep your joints moving. Do daily, gentle stretches that move your joints through their full range of motion.
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Use good posture. A physical therapist can show you how to sit, stand and move correctly.
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Know your limits. Balance activity and rest, and don't overdo.
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In addition, lifestyle changes are important for easing pain.
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Manage weight. Being overweight can increase complications of arthritis and contribute to arthritis pain. Making incremental, permanent lifestyle changes resulting in gradual weight loss is often the most effective method of weight management.
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Quit smoking. Smoking causes stress on connective tissues, which can increase arthritis pain.
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Exercise.
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When you have arthritis, movement can decrease your pain and stiffness, improve your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and increase your endurance.
What to do
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Choose the right kinds of activities — those that build the muscles around your joints but don't damage the joints themselves. A physical or occupational therapist can help you develop an exercise program that's right for you.
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Focus on stretching, range-of-motion exercises and gradual progressive strength training. Include low-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or water exercises, to improve your mood and help control your weight.
What to avoid
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Avoid activities that involve high impact and repetitive motion, such as:
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Running
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Jumping
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Tennis
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High-impact aerobics
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Repeating the same movement, such as a tennis serve, again and again
Medications
Many types of medications are available for arthritis pain relief. Most are relatively safe, but no medication is completely free of side effects. Talk with your doctor to formulate a medication plan for your specific pain symptoms.