3 WEEK FEBRUARY, 2013
RD
ARTHRITIS
Steps –The way to Eutopia Society
(এক মুঠ ো মোটিঠকও পৃথিবী মঠে কথি)
Reg. No:- S/1L/92145 of 2012-13
What is Arthritis?
The word arthritis comes from the Greekarthron meaning "joint" and the
Latin itismeaning " inflammation". The plural of arthritis is arthritides. Arthritis affects the
musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints. It is the main cause of disability among
people
over
fifty-five
years
of
age
in
industrialized
countries.
Arthritis is not a single disease - it is a term that covers over 100 medical conditions.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and generally affects elderly
patients. Some forms of arthritis can affect people at a very early age.
Causes Arthritis?
In order to better understand what is going on when a person suffers from some form of
arthritis,
let
us
look
at
how
a
joint
works.
Basically, a joint is where one bone moves on another bone. Ligaments hold the two
bones together. The ligaments are like elastic bands, while they keep the bones in place
your
muscles
relax
or
contract
to
make
the
joint
move.
Cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against
each other. The covering of cartilage allows the joint to work smoothly and painlessly.
A capsule surrounds the joint. The space within the joint - the joint cavity - has synovial
fluid. Synovial fluid nourishes the joint and the cartilage. The synovial fluid is produced
by the synovium (synovial membrane) which lines the joint cavity.
If you have arthritis something goes wrong with the joint(s). What goes wrong depends
on what type of arthritis you have. It could be that the cartilage is wearing away, a lack
of fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself), infection, or a combination of many
factors.
Symptoms
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Arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. Symptoms can
include:
Joint pain
Joint swelling
Reduced ability to move the joint
Redness of the skin around a joint
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Warmth around a joint
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent further joint
damage. The underlying cause cannot usually be cured.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Lifestyle changes are the preferred treatment for osteoarthritis and other types of joint
inflammation. Exercise can help relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve
muscle and bone strength. Your health care team can help you design an exercise
program that is best for you.
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Exercise programs may include:
Low-impact aerobic activity (also called endurance exercise)
Range of motion exercises for flexibility
Strength training for muscle tone
Physical therapy may be recommended. This might include:
Heat or ice
Splints or orthotics to support joints and help improve their position; this is often needed
for rheumatoid arthritis
Water therapy
Massage
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Other recommendations:
Get plenty of sleep. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night and taking naps during the day can
help you recover from a flare-up more quickly and may even help prevent flare ups.
Avoid staying in one position for too long.
Avoid positions or movements that place extra stress on your sore joints.
Change your home to make activities easier. For example, install grab bars in the
shower, the tub, and near the toilet.
Try stress-reducing activities, such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi.
Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, which contain important vitamins and
minerals, especially vitamin E.
Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, and
herring), flaxseed, rapeseed (canola) oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, and
walnuts.
Apply capsaicin cream over your painful joints. You may feel improvement after
applying the cream for 3-7 days.
Lose weight, if you are overweight. Weight loss can greatly improve joint pain in the legs
and feet.
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