How Can I Avoid Getting Arthritis

When Should I See My Doctor

Joints get sore and swollen for many reasons. It could be due to an injury, overuse, or doing a new type of physical activity.

See your doctor if you have pain and stiffness that starts with no clear reason, lasts for more than a few days, and also causes swelling, redness and warmth. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from getting worse and causing long-term damage.

Is Caffeine Bad For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Coffee could potentially benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis because of the anti-inflammatory properties of coffee. 5 Reducing inflammation in the body could help reduce joint pain. Also, the stimulating effects of caffeine help to fight physical and mental fatigue that is common with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Recognize The Symptoms And The Cause Of Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain at the joint, inflammation, stiffness, loss of flexibility and range of motion. A surgeons evaluation, including an MRI and x-ray, can determine the degree and extent of any cartilage damage and also establish the injury or underlying mechanical problems that may have caused it, such as a missing or damaged meniscus cartilage.

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Preventative Measures For Arthritis

There are over 100 forms of arthritis and some are easier to prevent than others. In some situations, such as autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, a low-inflammation diet that eliminates sugar and grains can alleviate some symptoms. Eating a diet low in processed foods and saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and beans can help fight the inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.

Maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the pain and take pressure off the joints. Once osteoarthritis develops, exercise can help limit pain and improve overall function, especially a focus on flexibility, aerobic and strengthening exercises. Swimming and cycling are excellent low-impact exercises that will work your muscles but arent hard on your joints.

While theres nothing you can do to completely eliminate your risk for developing arthritis, there are certain steps, like diet and exercise, you can take to be more proactive about your long-term health.

Exercise : Knuckle Bend

This improves direct flexion and range of motion, Jacobs says.

Step 1: Hold your hand in front of your face, palm facing you, with fingertips pointing up toward the sky. Keep your fingers straight and close together.

Step 2: Curl your fingertips only toward the top of your palm.

Jessica Migala has written for Marie Claire, Prevention and over 30 other publications.

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Can Arthritis Cause Numbness

Numbness is often a symptom of nerve involvement. For instance, numbness in the arm may be related to nerve irritation in the neck. In such a situation, turning or bending the head to the involved side may increase the symptoms. For example, a pinched nerve in the right side of the neck may cause numbness in the arm and hand when a person attempts to look back over the right shoulder. If nerve irritation becomes more severe, the arm and hand may become weak. A physical examination X-rays and an MRI of the neck and electrodiagnostic tests may be useful in establishing the diagnosis.

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Ask Your Veterinarian About Dog Joint Supplements

While theres no current data supporting the use of supplements to prevent arthritis in dogs, they do play a role in supporting the joints.

Joint supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin can help slow the loss of cartilage and keep your pet comfortable longer, says Dr. Ennis. Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA found in fish oil are powerful antioxidants. They will help scavenge free radicals, reducing toxic damage and fight inflammation in the body, she says.

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What Exactly Is Arthritis

Arthritis, or joint inflammation, describes swelling and tenderness of one or more of the joints. Its main symptoms include joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Arthritis is a general term for a group of over 100 diseases causing inflammation and swelling in and around the joints.

Joint inflammation is a natural response of the body to a disease or injury, but becomes arthritis when the inflammation persists in the absence of joint injury or infection. Arthritis usually worsens with age and may even lead to a loss of joint movement.

There are different types of arthritis such as:

• Warm skin over the joints
• Redness of the skin over the joints
• Reduced range of movement.

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Arthritis Prevention And Care Tips

Swollen, stiff and painful joints are common symptoms of arthritis, or joint disease. There over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions that also can affect connective tissues and organs, including the eyes, heart, lungs and skin. While thick, knobby fingers may reveal surface signs of arthritis, deeper down in the joints where bones connect, and even in soft tissue, is where arthritis can wield debilitating damage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 54.4 million American adults, or about one in four, have arthritis, and that by 2040, an estimated 78 million U.S. adults age 18 and older will have arthritisthe leading cause of disability in the country. Anyone of any age can get arthritisthe Arthritis Foundation says that about 300,000 babies and children have arthritis or a rheumatic conditionbut the joint disease becomes more common with age. The CDC states that from 2013 to 2015, almost half of people age 65 and older in the U.S. reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and 26 percent of women and 19 percent of men in America reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. 1

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Is The Sun Good For Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Bright Side Sun helps the body synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and a well-functioning immune system vitamin D deficiency has been linked to autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis . Plus, sunshine boosts mood by raising levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.

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Ditch The Coconut Oil If You Have Osteoarthritis

The type of fat you consume can make a big difference in how you feel when you have osteoarthritis. In a study published in 2018 in Arthritis Care & Research, researchers followed over 2,000 individuals with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis for four years. Participants filled out a questionnaire about their eating habits and the researchers took X-rays of their knees at yearly intervals to measure the amount of space in their knee joints .

In the end, the study authors found that higher levels of total fat and saturated fat intake were associated with greater losses in joint space, while those who ate more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats didnât lose as much space in their joints. Those who ate the least amount of saturated fat lost only 0.25 millimeters of space in their knee joint, while those who ate the most saturated fat lost 0.37 millimeters.

While you probably know that meat and dairy products are high in saturated fat, you might not realize that coconut oil is as well. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of the fat in coconut oil is saturated .

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How To Prevent And Ease Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

You can soothe your psoriatic arthritis symptoms — or even stop them before they start — with a combo of exercise, medicines, and other treatments.

Your doctor can tell you exactly what you need to do. Chances are, these tactics will be high on their list, right next to taking your medicines.

I Get Injuries Treated As Soon As They Happen

The most important recommendation to prevent arthritis is to have all injuries evaluated as soon as they occur. Repetitive trauma to a joint can result in arthritis, ballerinas get ankle arthritis, and weight lifters get back arthritis. To prevent cartilage and bone damage get quick treatment, physical therapy, appropriate exercise, lose weight and causal treatment. Anca Askanase, MD, rheumatologist and director of rheumatology clinical trials at Columbia University Medical Center, New York City. Watch out for these arthritis symptoms you could be missing.

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What Should I Do If Arthritis Symptoms First Appear

The Arthritis Foundation says there are four important warning signs that may indicate you have arthritis. They include:

• Pain that may be constant or might come and go. It may be in one part of the body or in different areas.
• The skin over an affected joint may become swollen, red or warm when you touch it. Swelling that lasts three days or long over a joint could be a sign of arthritis.
• Stiffness in a joint, when you wake up in the morning or after you sit at a desk or in a car for a long time, could be a sign of arthritis.
• Difficulty moving a joint could indicate arthritis is present.

Arthritis can get steadily worse over time if it is left untreated. Seeking treatment from your physician as soon as possible may help prevent your joints from becoming permanently damaged. It is a good idea to keep a journal to track your symptoms for a few weeks, noting which joints are hurting, when they hurt and for how long they hurt.

The Advanced Orthopaedics Center team can help you get more information about preventing arthritis and can help determine if you have arthritis. Please feel free to contact us.

How To Diagnose Arthritis

Arthritis is usually diagnosed by a physician once they have done physical exams and blood tests. Once you report to a hospital with joint pain, the doctor will ask about your symptoms, such as where the pain is, when it started, the level of the pain, and health and lifestyle habits such as smoking. They then have to conduct a physical exam to see if the joint has any swelling, stiffness or redness. The doctor will also check for any fluid in the affected joint.

An imaging test, mostly X-ray, is done to visualize the joint. This is done to check for any structural changes in the joint, any joint erosions, inflammation, any fluid in the joint , presence of loose tissue fragments, cartilage loss, and soft tissue tears. Blood tests are done to check for the presence of antibodies and the level of inflammation. If there is fluid in the joint, some of it will be drawn for tests.

Diagnosing arthritis involves eliminating any other conditions that are not arthritis that may have similar symptoms. Once the type of arthritis is diagnosed, the doctor them advises you on the best treatment method to use.

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Exercise : Finger Touch

If youre seeing joint deformity in your fingers, especially your pinkie, this is an important exercise to try, Jacobs says.

Step 1: Hold your hand in front of your face, palm facing you, fingers straight.

Steps 25: One at a time, touch each finger to your thumb to form a series of OK signs.

Text a lot with your thumbs? If so, this is a great exercise, Jacobs says.

Step 1: Hold your hand in front of your face, palm facing you.

Step 2: Keeping your four fingers still, move your thumb across your palm and try to touch the base of your pinkie finger.

Keep A Trigger Journal

Your symptom journal will help you figure out what your triggers are. Then, write down all your potential triggers so you know what to avoid .

For example, if you get a flare-up every time you have a stressful day at work, then stress is one of your triggers. Maybe you have a flare-up after a night at the bar? Now you know alcohol may be a trigger.

Different foods, stresses, and events will trigger people differently, so its a good idea to focus on what makes PsA worse for you.

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Tinnitus : : Along With Arthritis That Keep Getting Worse

Started getting tinnitus about 3 or more years ago and it has fluctuated a lot but constantly been an issue. Sometimes it gets better only to then get worse. I have tried to keep a positive attitude about this and had succeeded for awhile. Then my hands started to hurt from too many video games and about 4 months ago i got what i believe to be rheumatoid arthritis. Havent seen a doctor yet for either, my insurance is complicated. I know i have tinnitus and also have had sinus pressure and allergies making it worse. I am in pain most days because of tinnitus and pressure in my ears and at least slight if not worse pain from arthritis all the time. It only seems to get worse. I cant exercise as this makes the arthritis worse in my elbows. Heres the kicker, i am only 24 years old and my philosophy towards pain has always been ignore it til it goes away. Mind over matter. Years of ignoring these symptoms have made living my life very difficult. Every time i adapt, the symptoms get worse and honestly both of these things though medically treatable, cannot be cured and honestly i dont think much can be done. Any advice other than see a doctor would be appreciated. I will see a doctor as soon as my insurance has been changed which i am working on now.

Gradual Increase In Pain

Arthritis pain usually starts slowly, although it can appear suddenly in some cases.

At first, you may notice pain in the morning or after youve been inactive for a while.

Your knees may hurt when you:

• stand up from a sitting position
• walk on a flat surface
• sit down for a while

Knee pain that wakes you up from sleep can be a symptom of OA.

For people with RA, the symptoms often start in the smaller joints. They are also more likely to be symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body. The joint may be warm and red.

With OA, symptoms may progress rapidly or they may develop over several years, depending on the individual. Symptoms can worsen and then remain stable for a long time, and they can vary day to day.

Factors that may cause worsening of symptoms include:

• excessive activity

With RA, symptoms usually appear over several weeks, but they can develop or worsen in a few days. A flare can happen when disease activity increases. Triggers vary and can include changes in medication.

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What Can I Do To Make Living With Arthritis Easier

Changing your routine can make living with arthritis easier. Adjust your activities to lessen joint pain. It may help to work with an occupational therapist . An OT is a healthcare provider who specializes in managing physical challenges like arthritis.

An OT may recommend:

• Adaptive equipment, such as grips for opening jars.
• Techniques for doing hobbies, sports or other activities safely.
• Tips for reducing joint pain during arthritic flare-ups.

Care Tips For Arthritis

A thorough evaluation, early diagnosis and on-target treatment from a rheumatologist will help lessen joint changes and chronic pain. In treating and managing arthritis , a central goal is to reduce symptoms and improve a persons mobility and function. For mild to moderate arthritis symptoms, the doctor may advise a combination of the following at-home care tips:

• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Taking prescription corticosteroids or anti-rheumatic drugs.
• Applying heat and cold therapies to soothe pain.
• Staying active, yet getting sufficient rest.
• Strengthening the muscles around the affected joint.
• Allowing the joint to rest and protecting it from overuse or strain.
• Eating a nutritious diet to maintain a healthy weight, and boosting the body with anti-inflammatory foods such as green, leafy vegetables and fatty fish.

An arthritis diagnosis can be a lot to handle, especially for older adults and adults with disabilities. To help, a strong support system of family, friends and professional at-home caregivers proves invaluable. Together, they can help the loved one follow a treatment plan of medications, exercise and balanced nutrition. This network of arthritis champions can also provide companionship and moral support to ease the emotional stress of managing the disease while helping the person live well today and in the future.

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Precautions To Prevent Infection

If you live with chronic illnesses that can make you more susceptible to poor outcomes from COVID-19, youve likely already been taking precautions to protect yourself. Of course, you already know the general guidance:

• Maintain a social distance of six feet or more from people outside of your household whenever possible.
• Wear face coverings when out in public and when you cant be socially distant.
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
• Avoid large groups or situations when it will be hard to be socially distant.
• When spending time with others, being outdoors is safer than indoors.

But with record numbers of COVID-19 cases overtaking America and many parts of the globe and with experts saying things will continue to get worse before they get better we know many people in the CreakyJoints and Global Healthy Living Foundation communities are looking to protect themselves and their loved ones as much as possible.

Here are additional steps you can take to avoid contracting COVID-19 right now, based on the most recent guidance and research.