Arthritis - LPNI

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Arthritis

LPNI Health Topic-September 2023

Arthritis

Arthritis is a disorder that affects the joints. It is one of the most common types of inflammatory processes, especially in the elderly, as it leads to swelling and irritation in the joints of the body, difficulty in movement, and severe pain that affects the patient’s life. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms include redness, warmth, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. Other organs are also affected in some types of arthritis. The onset of the disease may be gradual or sudden.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis being the two most common forms. Osteoarthritis usually occurs with age and affects the fingers, knees and hips, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that often affects the hands and feet.

Causes:

Joint friction and cartilage damage between them due to heavy weight.
Bone fractures.
An autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the bones and joints.
Bacterial or viral infection.
Aging
The nature of work that requires standing for long periods may increase the chance of arthritis, according to recent medical statistical studies.

Treatment:

Analgesics: They work to reduce pain but do not help to treat inflammation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: These reduce pain and inflammation.
Anti-irritants: Some creams and ointments contain menthol or capsaicin. Applying them to the skin over a painful joint can modify the pain signals from the joint and reduce pain.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs: These are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs modify the course of the disease or prevent the immune system from attacking the joints.
Steroids: Prednisone and cortisone reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.

Tips for living with Arthritis:

Exercising appropriately, such as swimming.
Using hot or cold compresses on the joint and massaging the affected joints continuously and in the correct way.
Make sure to get enough hours of sleep.
Maintaining a healthy diet, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and foods that contain vitamins and minerals, as they contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
Maintain an ideal or close to ideal weight to reduce pressure on the joints.
Moving the joint every certain period and not being stable in a certain position.

Raeda Mansour, Intergenerational Programs Manager

Christmas Lutheran Church Bethlehem

Email: rmansour@diyar.ps