Arthritis

The word arthritis is used to describe more than 100 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory and noninflammatory. Each has features that set it apart from other types of joint pain. There are many types of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and arthritis caused by infections. The most common type of noninflammatory arthritis is osteoarthritis.

Causes of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis can be caused by various factors, including wear and tear that
occurs with time. As the body ages, joints become worn down from years
of movement. Osteoarthritis is very common in older adults. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a breakdown in the body’s immune system. It is not known why this occurs.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The start of inflammatory arthritis varies from person to person. For some people, the pain can be sudden and intense. For others, the pain is gradual. Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis include swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, loss of motion or function of the joint, and joint damage.

Osteoarthritis starts slowly, usually over many months or years. Symptoms may include minor swelling and changes in the joint cartilage, which can lead to joint damage, pain, and loss of function. The joints most affected are the knee, hip, and hand.

Treating Arthritis

Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help treat your arthritis. Over-the-counter medicines are often the first treatment choice for arthritic pain. Two main types of medicines are used: simple pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). These medications reduce swelling and pain.

Let your doctor know about any over-the-counter products you are taking in addition to what he or she has prescribed.

Preventing Arthritis

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown but probably occurs for many reasons, including genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.

There are many causes of osteoarthritis, including natural wear and tear on your body. Taking care of your body—watching your weight, participating in aerobic exercise, and avoiding repetitive stress or trauma on your joints—can delay the onset of osteoarthritis. Losing even a small amount of weight helps reduce stress on your weight-bearing joints.

Caring for Arthritis

• Over-the-counter products may be helpful. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate have been used to treat osteoarthritis. They may lessen pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee and hip and are considered safe.
• Assistive devices may support painful areas or improve function in affected joints. The range of options is broad. Wrist splints, tennis elbow straps, padded arch supports, and heel pads may help reduce stress on joints and relieve some pain.
• Move your joints. Exercise reduces pain, makes you more flexible, energizes you, and increases your overall good health. The type and amount of exercise depends on which joints are involved and the degree of joint inflammation. It should be tailored to your needs. Ask your doctor about good exercises for you.
• Find ways to deal with stress such as meditation, listening to music, biofeedback, or professional counseling. Exercise is also an excellent stress reliever.
• If you still have pain after taking medication, try taking a warm shower, doing some gentle stretching exercises, using an ice pack on the sore area, or just resting the sore joint.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. Excess weight can cause pain in your knees and hips.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is pain in joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Common areas of pain include the neck, elbows, knees, and hips. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. The pain can be constant, or it may seem to move around the body. Stress, activity, or even weather can make the pain worse. Fatigue, insomnia, and depression often are symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Other symptoms include:

• Numbness in parts of the body
• Sensitivity to odors, light, and noise
• Difficulty focusing
• Diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, gas, and abdominal cramps

Treating Fibromyalgia

Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce pain or to help you sleep.

Caring for Fibromyalgia

• Exercise in ways that don’t put stress on your joints, such as swimming or using an exercise bike.
• Reduce stress.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially close to when you go to bed.
• Take small doses of pain-reducing medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Joint Pain

Joint pain, or rheumatic pain, is one of the most common reasons that people see their doctors.

Causes of Joint Pain

Not all joint pain is caused by arthritis. Often joint or muscle pain is caused by problems with the structure around the joint, such as a tendon, bursa, ligament, or muscle.

Symptoms of Joint Pain

Joint pain caused by arthritis usually has swelling and fluid buildup and a change in the appearance of the joint. Symptoms of joint pain not caused by arthritis include the following:

• Usually there is no swelling or joint damage.
• Joint can be moved without a lot of difficulty.
• Pain often follows activity.

Caring for Joint Pain

Self-care for joint pain and osteoarthritis are similar. Over-the-counter pain medication, assistive devices, and movement can help ease pain.

Muscle Cramps

Both activity and inactivity can lead to cramps and spasms. Muscles that have been overused may cramp. Sitting in the same position too long also may lead to cramps.

Caring for Muscle Cramps

• Stretch out the cramped muscle. For a leg cramp, sit with your leg flat on the floor and pull your toes toward you. Walk off a foot cramp.
• Gently massage the cramp.

Muscle Imbalance

When muscles on one side of the body are much stronger than those on the other side, they can put added stress on weaker muscles and surrounding joints, often causing injury.

Caring for Muscle Imbalance

If you regularly exert the muscles on one side of your body as you work or exercise, make sure you exercise the opposing muscles in some way to keep your body balanced. Someone who lifts heavy objects all day may overdevelop the chest and arm muscles, putting strain on muscles in the back and shoulders. Workouts with weights or in a gym to strengthen the back and shoulders can help restore a good balance.

Muscle Tightness

Any time you tighten a muscle repeatedly or hold it in one position for a long time, it can become tight. Often the stiffness and pain of the tight muscle
isn’t felt until the next day.

The muscle that runs along the outside of the upper leg and helps the leg move to the side is a common site for muscle tightness. Other muscles, including those in the buttocks and in the inside, front, and back of the thigh, can also become tight.

Caring for Muscle Tightness

• Take a warm bath.
• Stretch before and after an activity.

Referred Pain

Sometimes pain is felt in one part of the body, but the condition causing the pain is in a different area. Pain in the left shoulder or arm can be a sign of a heart attack. Knee pain can be caused by a hip or foot problem.

Caring for Referred Pain

When there is sudden pain with no apparent cause, such as an accident or overuse, call your doctor.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repeating a particular motion constantly, whether it’s using a computer mouse or throwing a baseball in practice, can cause damage to tendons, muscles, and joints. The injury can be a combination of an inflammation in a joint or tendon and damage to body tissues.

Caring for Repetitive Motion Injuries

• Limit or stop the motion.
• Alternate application of heat and cold on the affected area.
• Take pain medication.
• Get physical therapy and exercise.
• Sit, stand, or move in ways that don’t cause stress on affected joints and tendons.