Arthritis is the condition in which there is inflammation in one or more joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms. These tend to worsen as one grows older. The mode of treatment will vary depending on the type of the condition. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and ensuring the affected people lead quality lives. In considering arthritis pain relief Toledo residents have many options.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
There are conditions that will require physical therapy. When one does exercises, their range of motion is improved and muscles that surround the joints strengthened. At certain times, braces and splints are used. When the conservative measures have failed to be effective, surgery may be the next option, with two main types of surgery used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
When exercising is done regularly, joints are kept flexible. Swimming and water aerobics are among the best choices for exercising because water buoyancy reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Ice packs and heating pads are effective methods too when it comes to reducing ache. Canes, raised toilets and walkers are among the assistive devices that may be used.
The use of alternative medicine is yet to undergo full testing for its credibility but is still one of the used options. Acupuncture is one such option. In this, needles are inserted on the skin at specific points. This will lead to reduction of pain.
Massage and yoga are also in use. Stretching and slow movements of yoga enhance joint flexibility and improve the range of motion. Blood flow can be improved by going for massage. Joints that are affected get warmed and thus pain will be relieved temporarily. Before the massage, the therapist should know the joints that are affected.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
There are conditions that will require physical therapy. When one does exercises, their range of motion is improved and muscles that surround the joints strengthened. At certain times, braces and splints are used. When the conservative measures have failed to be effective, surgery may be the next option, with two main types of surgery used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
When exercising is done regularly, joints are kept flexible. Swimming and water aerobics are among the best choices for exercising because water buoyancy reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Ice packs and heating pads are effective methods too when it comes to reducing ache. Canes, raised toilets and walkers are among the assistive devices that may be used.
The use of alternative medicine is yet to undergo full testing for its credibility but is still one of the used options. Acupuncture is one such option. In this, needles are inserted on the skin at specific points. This will lead to reduction of pain.
Massage and yoga are also in use. Stretching and slow movements of yoga enhance joint flexibility and improve the range of motion. Blood flow can be improved by going for massage. Joints that are affected get warmed and thus pain will be relieved temporarily. Before the massage, the therapist should know the joints that are affected.
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