What Are The Warning Signs Of Arthritis
Pain from arthritis can be ongoing or can come and go. It may occur when you’re moving or after you have been still for some time. You may feel pain in one spot or in many parts of your body.
Your joints may feel stiff and be hard to move. You may find that it’s hard to do daily tasks you used to do easily, such as climbing stairs or opening a jar. Pain and stiffness may be more severe during certain times of the day or after you’ve done certain tasks.
Some types of arthritis cause swelling or inflammation. The skin over the joint may appear swollen and red and feel hot to the touch. Some types of arthritis can also cause fatigue.
How Does Arthritis Feel
Arthritis usually causes stiffness pain and fatigue. The severity varies from person to person and even from day to day. In some people only a few joints are affected and the impact may be small. In other people the entire body system may be affected.
The joints of the body are the site of much of the action in arthritis. Many types of arthritis show signs of joint inflammation: swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness or warmth. These joint symptoms may be accompanied by weight loss, fever or weakness.
When these symptoms last for more than two weeks, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis may be the cause. Joint inflammation may also be caused by infection which can lead to septic arthritis. Degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis joint inflammation is not a prominent feature of this condition. While normal joints can support a vast amount of use, mechanical abnormalities of a joint make it susceptible to degeneration.
It is healthy for you to keep active and move your joints. If you do not move a joint regularly, the muscles around it weaken and/or become tight. The joint can stiffen or even freeze. When you do try to move the joint and muscles hurt because they have been still for so long.
Arthritis can make it hard to do the movements you rely on every day for work or taking care of your family.
The Types Of Arthritis And How They Can Impact Your Joints
Arthritis is one of the most common causes for joint aches and pains. In fact, about one in five people over the age of 18 have it, according to The Arthritis Foundation. As the Baby Boomers age, that number is only going to go up. Its possible that as many as 78 million people could be affected by arthritis by 2040.
The word arthritis is a simple name for more than 100 joint diseases. As prevalent as it is, its important to know what arthritis is, the many forms it can take, and what can be done about it.
The most common form is osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis. It happens when the cartilage in your joints wears down, causing the bones to rub against each other. This form of arthritis appears in known patterns in particular joints. Many people with this form of arthritis experience swollen joints, pain and stiffness. Often, maintaining a healthy diet and weight can help with arthritis pain. So can over-the-counter pain relievers, strengthening the affected joint, heat/ice and rest.
Other types of arthritis include infectious arthritis, which occurs when bacteria enter the body near the joint and cause inflammation. Many other conditions such as hepatitis C, food poisoning and some sexually transmitted diseases can bring on infectious arthritis. The good news is that with the right antibiotic, the infection can often clear up.
Symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type and severity:
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What’s New In Arthritis Research
Progress is so fast in some areas of arthritis research today that the media often report new findings before the medical journal with the information reaches your doctor’s office. As a result, you need to know how to evaluate reports on new arthritis research.
Arthritis researchers are looking at four broad areas of research. These include causes, treatments, education and prevention.
Researchers are learning more about certain conditions. For example in osteoarthritis, researchers are looking for signs of early destruction of cartilage and ways to rebuild it. For rheumatoid arthritis and other types that involve inflammation, researchers are trying to understand the steps that lead to inflammation and how it can be slowed or stopped. An initial study suggests that fibromyalgia affects more older people than originally thought and often may be overlooked in this group. Your doctor can tell you about other new research findings. If you would like to take part in arthritis research, ask your doctor for a referral to a study in your area.
Many people help make arthritis research possible. The federal government through its National Institutes of Health is the largest supporter of arthritis research. Drug companies do the most research on new medications.
How Is Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed
Psoriatic arthritis is easier to confirm if you already have psoriasis. If you donthave the skin symptoms, diagnosis is more difficult. The process starts with a healthhistory and a physical exam. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. Youmay have blood tests to check the following:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate . This test looks at how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. When swelling and inflammation are present, the bloods proteins clump together and become heavier than normal. They fall and settle faster at the bottom of the test tube. The faster the blood cells fall, the more severe the inflammation.
- Uric acid. High blood uric acid levels can be seen in psoriatic arthritis but are not used for diagnosis or monitoring.
- Imaging. X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, MRI, and skin biopsies may all be used to help diagnosis.
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Apple Cider Vinegar And Other Foods
According to some sources, apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve arthritis and other types of pain.
However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this. The Arthritis Foundation refers to ACV as a food myth.
Other popular advice for arthritis includes:
- consuming collagen, gelatin, or pectin, and raw foods.
- avoiding dairy, acidic foods, and nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant
There is no evidence to suggest that these are helpful or even advisable.
Pain at the front of the knee is one of the most common aches and pains. It is second only to lower back pain around a quarter of people will get it at some point in their lives.
It commonly affects teenagers, especially young female athletes. It is the most common overuse syndrome in sportspeople.
Most cases of front knee pain are injuries from overuse, or from poor preparation for exercise. The problems usually go away on their own, and sporting activities can resume after the pain subsides.
The pain varies but tends to:
- be a dull ache that starts gradually, and is linked to activities
- produce clicking or other sounds
- come on when going upstairs, or when getting up after a long time sitting, squatting down, or kneeling
- produce a weakness in the legs
Recommended treatments for front knee pain include:
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and gout are some of the most common causes of knee pain.
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Is Boron Good For Joints
Since 1963, evidence has accumulated that suggests boron is a safe and effective treatment for some forms of arthritis. The initial evidence was that boron supplementation alleviated arthritic pain and discomfort of the author.
Does boron help osteoporosis?
Recent studies suggest that boron is important for calcium metabolism. In addition, it has proven to be an effective mineral for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis because of its ability to activate important vitamins and minerals in the body.
Is boron bad for your kidneys?
Kidney disease or problems with kidney function: Do not take boron supplements if you have kidney problems. The kidneys have to work hard to flush out boron.
Is boron good for the kidneys?
Boron is beneficial particularly to the bone and mineral metabolism in the setting of vitamin D deficiency . This may be particularly relevant to chronic kidney disease and chronic dialysis patients who exhibit significant vitamin D deficiency.
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Bhujangasana Or Cobra Pose For Knee Arthritis
Benefits of Bhujangasana or The Cobra Pose for knee Arthritis
- Regular practice of Bhujangasana extends the spinal region is toned and the chest is fully expanded.
- It helps in massaging and help expand the lungs and stimulates the abdominal organs.
Steps to Practice Bhujangasana or The Cobra Pose
- To practice Bhujangasana, lie prone on the floor or the yoga mat i.e. on your stomach with the top of your feet and chin resting on the floor.
- Legs should be kept close together with the heels and feet lightly touching each other.
- Place your palms facing downwards i.e. facing ground and below the shoulders with the fingers of your hand outwards i.e. other side of the body.
- While practicing Bhujangasana, the elbows should be kept parallel to each other and close to the body.
- While inhaling deeply, gently raise your head, chest, and abdomen up while keeping the navel and pelvis touching the floor.
- Take your shoulders back and down in such a way that the head is tilted backwards, and the chest is opened forward while practicing Bhujangasana.
- Focus your gaze forward or upwards depending upon the flexibility of your neck and spine or till where you can bend backwards.
- Raise your body upwards till your arms become straight on the ground.
- Keep pressing the ground with your pelvis. Also, make sure that you are not putting a lot of tension in your arms.
Does Barometric Pressure Affect Sinuses
Shifts in barometric pressure can also trigger pain and discomfort for those with sinusitis. This can result in sudden, painful feeling of pressure, sinus headaches, and facial pain, along with congestion. When such symptoms linger, the sinuses can become inflamed and blocked, which can lead to infection.
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How Is Spinal Arthritis Diagnosed
Your doctor may use some or all of the following diagnostic methods to confirm spinal arthritis:
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Medical history and physical exam
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Blood tests for genetic markers and/or RA antibodies
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X-rays of the spine to locate the arthritic joint
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MRI, CT scan, myelography, bone scan and/or ultrasound to zero in on the damage, detect nerve and spinal cord involvement or rule out other causes
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Joint aspiration: testing of the synovial fluid inside a joint
To pinpoint the painful joint, your doctor may numb it with an injection and check whether the pain goes away.
What Are Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are of two basic types. One is the kind that arises near a joint with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. In this situation, the cartilage has been worn through and the bone responds by growing extra bone at the margins of the joint surface. These “spurs” carry the formal name “osteophytes.” They are common features of the osteoarthritic shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle. Removing these osteophytes is an important part of joint replacement surgery but removing them without addressing the underlying arthritis is usually not effective in relieving symptoms.
The second type of bone spur is the kind that occurs when the attachment of ligaments or tendons to bone become calcified. This can occur on the bottom of the foot around the Achilles Tendon and in the coroacoacromial ligament of the shoulder. These spurs often look impressive on X-rays, but because they are in the substance of the ligaments rarely cause sufficient problems to merit excision.
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What Is Hip Arthritis
Hip arthritis is deterioration of the cartilage of the hip joint. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint with the ball at the top of the thighbone . The ball is separated from the socket by cartilage. The cartilage acts as a slippery coating between the ball and the socket that allows the ball to glide and rotate smoothly when the leg moves. The labrum, a strong cartilage that lines the outer rim of the socket, provides stability.
When cartilage in the hip is damaged, it becomes rough. Thinning of cartilage narrows the space between the bones. In advanced cases, bone rubs on bone, and any movement can cause pain and stiffness. When there is friction at any point between bones, it can also lead to bone spurs bone growths on the edges of a bone that change its shape.
Is It Actually A Symptom Of Psa
It took some time, but eventually, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and my temperature swings got pushed to the side in favor of more pressing and painful symptoms. But they continue to persist.
When I feel my worst and find myself in a PsA flare, I seem to actually run a low-grade fever and the swings from hot and cold begin to worsen. I hadnt actually noticed it until I started doing a better job of recording my symptoms and side effects. And I noticed the swings between cold and hot become much more pronounced and last much longer.
However, I do want to be clear that my doctor has never officially attributed these swings in body temperature to my psoriatic arthritis. They still continue to just be a random symptom that I also experience.
It is only my opinion that the temperature swings are linked with my PsA. And Ive even attempted a deep dive into Google, and other than patients sharing personal experience, I havent been able to find many relevant medical studies.
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Use Less Effort To Do Things
Pushing yourself too hard can make your joints more painful. So dont do too much all at once. Instead, try to make things easier for yourself.
You might want to:
- Ask for help, where possible.
- Reduce the weight of what you lift. For instance, if youre moving a heavy cardboard box, you could take a few items out before lifting it.
- If you cant reduce the weight, slide objects along a work surface or use a trolley or wheelbarrow.
- Use labour-saving aids and adaptions to make tasks a bit easier.
Aids are items of equipment that can help you manage everyday tasks such as dressing, cooking and walking. They can include walking aids, easy-to-use kitchen utensils and cutlery with large handles. Adaptations are changes made to your home to help you move around. They can include fixed ramps and baths with built-in handles.
If youre struggling to do an activity, aids and adaptations could help you to live independently at home. For example, if youre worried about falls and have been inactive for a while, you might find a walking stick gives you the confidence you need to keep moving.
Learn more about gadgets and equipment for your home. You can also find gadgets that have been specially designed for people with arthritis at our social venture, arthr.
Key Nutrients For Knee Pain You Should Have Every Day
Millions of people experience debilitating knee pain thanks to osteoarthritis, with one in four adults in America with arthritis report severe pain in joints as a result of arthritis. If you are an athlete or if osteoarthritis runs in your family, you want to do all you can to prevent knee injury.
In some cases, some physicians might recommend training programs that involve strength training, flexibility exercises, and agility drills to help athletes to prevent knee injury. But what if we told you exercises are not the only way to strengthen your knees. Eating nutritious diets can help strengthen joints and might alleviate swelling and pain.
Heres what to add to your grocery list.
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The Diagnosis Of Osteoarthritis
When diagnosing osteoarthritis, your doctor will ask you about your hands and other joints. Explain how your symptoms affect what you do. Your doctor will check how your hands look and function. X-rays of joints with osteoarthritis can show loss of normal joint space, bone spurs, or other changes.
Try To Exercise Regularly
Exercise is extremely important for building muscle and bone strength. To protect against osteoporosis, weight-bearing exercises are best. These include things that put weight on your bones, like walking, running, dancing, stair-climbing, and lifting weights. Swimming or using a recumbent bike, while good for your joints, isnt considered to be weight-bearing.
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Talk To Your Doctor About A Knee Brace
Often a knee brace can help. Theres evidence to show that even a simple compression sleeve can decrease pain, says Dr. Day. These are a good way to start because you can get one at the drugstore.
You can also talk to your doctor about a more customized unloader brace. These take pressure off a portion of the joint. The brace thats right for you will depend on the severity and location of arthritis, whether primarily in the inner or outer side of the joint or in the kneecap.
What Are The Symptoms
The inflamed tendon may be painful and swollen. You may notice it more when you use it, especially if a repeated motion like swinging a hammer or a tennis racquet caused it.
When the tendon sheath gets swollen, fluid can build up and make your symptoms worse. You may feel swelling and in some cases see it, too. The area can get so tender that it hurts even to touch it.
It might happen anywhere you have muscles and tendons, but itâs more likely in your:
If you have these symptoms in your thumb, then you probably have a specific type called De Quervainâs tenosynovitis. It results from an inflamed tendon at the base of your thumb. You might feel:
- Pain along the thumb-side of the wrist
- A catching or clicking when you use it
- Your symptoms typically worsen when you try to squeeze or grab something or turn your wrist.
And youâre more likely to get it when youâre pregnant, though doctors arenât sure why.
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