Plenty of people assume arthritis is a painful condition characterized by tight and aching joints. In truth, there are many types of arthritis, each with its own symptoms and treatment regimen. Symptoms of chronic arthritis can last for years.
Any joint of the body can be affected by arthritis. As a result of some varieties of arthritis may lead to significant changes—you may experience redness, warmth, swelling, or pain in your joints. Other types cause fewer symptoms but harm your joints over time. If you’re alone at home, don’t hesitate to call for medical care. It can be challenging to try these treatments without proper supervision.
Treatment for Arthritis
Arthritis treatment varies depending on the type. However, there are some standard therapeutic options. A nutritious diet and regular exercise are essential to managing any form of arthritis. Learning how to use and protect your joints is also crucial. When walking, the correct shoes and a cane can assist in relieving hip, knee, and foot pain. Alternatively, you can purchase tools that make it easier for you to open bottles and jars or turn the door handles in your house.
1. Gout
Ask your doctor if you’ve had a gout attack so you can find out what caused it and how to avoid it from happening again. An acute episode of gout is usually treated with corticosteroids or NSAIDs such as prednisone. You may begin to feel relieved in a few hours of a treatment since it lowers inflammation. The attack usually subsides within a couple of days. To avoid future attacks, your doctor can prescribe medications.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Swelling and pain from RA will subside with treatment, and joint deterioration can halt or stop. Moving around can be more comfortable, and you can feel better overall. Your physician may also prescribe disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), in addition to NSAIDs and pain medications. These can help delay the progression of the condition. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, help reduce inflammation while waiting for DMARDs to kick in. Other drugs, called biologic response modifiers, inhibit the immune system damage to the body. If other treatments fail, these medicines can benefit individuals with mild to moderate RA.
3. Osteoarthritis
You can manage OA pain with the use of medications. It will be easier to move your joints if you get enough rest and do some physical activity. Additionally, it’s a good idea to maintain a healthy weight. If you have severe OA in your knee, your doctor will give you injections in the joint. This will reduce the pain in your knee and help you get around without any problems. Other people undergo joint replacement surgery to replace or repair any damaged joints.
Always Exercise
Besides giving your joints proper rest and drinking the prescribed medicine, working out is an excellent method to stay fit and strong while controlling arthritis symptoms. Taking part in regular exercises such as swimming or walking helps keep the joints moving, reduce pain, and strengthen the muscles around the joints.
- Exercises to increase range of motion: It’s no secret that both dancing and yoga are great for relieving discomfort and keeping your joints mobile.
- Strengthening Exercises: As a result of weight training, you’ll increase your strength. Take note that your joints are supported and protected by strong muscles.
- Endurance and Aerobic Exercises: Taking up cycling and jogging improves the health of your heart and arteries, prevents weight gain, and enhances the overall functioning of your body. As a side benefit, aerobic exercise can help reduce inflammation in certain joints.
Hydrate
Water makes up 70% to 80% of the cartilage in your joints, so it’s no wonder that dehydration can aggravate joint discomfort. Another indication of dehydration is weariness, confusion, and headaches.
A well-hydrated body performs better and provides you with more energy. Depending on how active you are and how dry or hot the weather is, you should consume at least 2 liters of water every day. Knowing that drinking water can get monotonous, you can sometimes drink juice or tea as a substitute. However, keep in mind that juices include a lot of sugar.
Alternative Remedies
Aside from a healthy diet and regular exercise, there are additional strategies to reduce joint discomfort. Swimming in a heated pool, soaking in a warm bath, or applying hot packs to the affected joint may all provide comfort.
Your doctor will recommend surgery if the damage to your joints has become severe or other therapies have failed. This type of joint can be repaired or replaced by a surgeon with artificial ones. Hips and knees are the most often replaced joints by doctors.
Arthritis is a severe condition that can significantly impact a senior’s quality of life, even when medically controlled with actions taken to minimize pain. Having arthritis, however, doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the activities you enjoy. Although there isn’t any cure, the correct treatment, planning, and support can provide seniors a healthy and active lifestyle.
