Arthritis is the condition in which there is inflammation in one or more joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms. These tend to worsen as one grows older. The mode of treatment will vary depending on the type of the condition. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and ensuring the affected people lead quality lives. In considering arthritis pain relief Toledo residents have many options.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
For some conditions, physical therapy will help. By doing exercises, there will be improvement of the range of motion and also strengthening of muscles that surround the joints. There are instances in which splints and braces have to be used. In the event that conservative measures are not effective, surgery may be suggested. There are two forms of surgery that can be used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
Regular exercising will help in keeping joints flexible. Among the best choices of exercises are water aerobics and swimming. This is because the buoyancy of water minimizes stress on joints that bear weight. Heating pads and ice packs are also a good option to use. People can also consider the use of assistive devices such as canes, walkers and raised toilet seats.
People use alternative medicine but their credibility is yet to be ascertained. One of these is acupuncture. It involves the use of fine needles that are inserted at specific points on the skin. This is done for the sake of reducing pain.
Massage and yoga are also in use. Stretching and slow movements of yoga enhance joint flexibility and improve the range of motion. Blood flow can be improved by going for massage. Joints that are affected get warmed and thus pain will be relieved temporarily. Before the massage, the therapist should know the joints that are affected.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
For some conditions, physical therapy will help. By doing exercises, there will be improvement of the range of motion and also strengthening of muscles that surround the joints. There are instances in which splints and braces have to be used. In the event that conservative measures are not effective, surgery may be suggested. There are two forms of surgery that can be used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
Regular exercising will help in keeping joints flexible. Among the best choices of exercises are water aerobics and swimming. This is because the buoyancy of water minimizes stress on joints that bear weight. Heating pads and ice packs are also a good option to use. People can also consider the use of assistive devices such as canes, walkers and raised toilet seats.
People use alternative medicine but their credibility is yet to be ascertained. One of these is acupuncture. It involves the use of fine needles that are inserted at specific points on the skin. This is done for the sake of reducing pain.
Massage and yoga are also in use. Stretching and slow movements of yoga enhance joint flexibility and improve the range of motion. Blood flow can be improved by going for massage. Joints that are affected get warmed and thus pain will be relieved temporarily. Before the massage, the therapist should know the joints that are affected.
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