| Arthritis:
Know the ailment and treatment
We often use the term Arthritis (it comes from the Latin, meaning
Inflamed joint) to describe any type of pain in the joints. There
are many different types of this condition - the commonest being
Osteoarthritis, which is generally not a serious form of arthritis
and usually only causes minor disability.
Osteoarthritis
- which is what most people mean when they speak of "Arthritis"
- is an ailment that develops due to the body's normal ageing process
which causes natural wear and tear of the joints. The smooth surface
of cartilage that covers the ends of the long bones that make up
the joint and protects them gets gradually worn off, resulting in
roughness of the surfaces that rub against each other when the joint
moves.
With
roughening of the surfaces the joint becomes stiff and inflamed,
and pains whenever the joint is moved. Doctors sometimes arrange
X-rays to confirm the diagnosis of arthritis. Since cartilage cannot
be seen on X-rays, the space between the bone ends appears narrower
than normal on X-ray films due to wearing down of the protective
cartilage.
What
causes osteoarthritis?
The commonest reason for loss of the protective cartilage
is the natural wear and tear that takes place as the body ages -
but it is such a gradual process that we don't notice it taking
place. So it is "normal" for a joint to develop arthritis
when one gets old - but in some situations, younger people can develop
arthritis. This happens in joints that have been injured (as in
sports or road traffic accidents, where a fracture may have occurred
through the surface of the bone end) or in joints that have been
overworked (such as the fingers of a typist, the knees of a soldier
or the feet of a dancer).
Osteoarthritis
of old age generally affects the large joints that bear the body's
weight, such as the hips, the knees and the spine. Another common
site for arthritis in people who have worked with their hands are
the base of the thumb and the ends of the fingers.
What
are the clinical features of arthritis?
Pain, stiffness and swelling of the affected joint are
the usual complaints. Typically, the stiffness of osteoarthritis
is worst when one wakes up in the morning and eases during the course
of the morning, as the joint is put to use. However, the pain becomes
worse with prolonged or excessive activity - as for example in arthritis
of the knees and feet after walking for a long time.
The
good news about osteoarthritis (in contrast to some of the other
uncommon and more serious types of arthritis, such as Rheumatoid
Arthritis) is that it does not threaten one's life, it does not
cause crippling deformity, and it is a condition that one can live
with - if one adopts certain simple measures.
How
is arthritis treated?
Although there is no permanent cure for arthritis, there
are many things that one can do to keep oneself comfortable and
mobile.
- Too
much weight puts an unnecessary burden on damaged joints like
the knee, hip and spine. Losing weight and minimizing the load
on these joints certainly helps to relieve the pain as well as
the wear and tear.
- Applying
heat in various forms - balms like Siddhalepa and Wintogeno, a
hot water bottle or even massaging the joint helps relieve the
pain. If you have to travel overseas, try to avoid going in winter
because cold aggravates the pain of arthritis.
- Exercising
sensibly (such as swimming, cycling and walking) is good - but
DON'T do any exercise or activity that increases the pain.
- Walking
aids, such as an insert inside the shoe or a walking stick to
take weight off the affected joint, are helpful.
-
Medicines such as paracetemol and aspirin are very effective for
arthritis. You can safely take them after meals up to three times
a day. These simple drugs are often as good, if not safer, than
some of the more modern medications advertised. If the simple
medications are not effective, you should (with your doctor's
guidance) try a few of the newer ones to find the one that best
suits you.
-
Surgery can sometimes help to relieve the stiffness and pain -
but is not a procedure one should undertake as a first step.
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