Arthritis is a disease that
causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. It’s a complex disorder that
comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage
of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most
common form of arthritis in the United
States, affecting an estimated 21 million
adults. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips,
and spine. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis
include:
- Steady
or intermittent pain in a joint.
- Stiffness
after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting.
- Swelling
or tenderness in 1 or more joints.
- Crunching
feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone when the joint is used
Rheumatoid arthritis affects
2.1 million Americans, or about 1% of the adult population in the United States.
This disease is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men, and generally
affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. However, young children can
develop a form of rheumatoid arthritis called juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis differ from person to person but can generally
include:
- Joint
tenderness, warmth, and swelling.
- Pain
and stiffness lasting for more than 1 hour in the morning or after a long
rest.
- Joint
inflammation in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand
- Fatigue,
an occasional fever, and a general sense of not feeling well
Many drugs are now used to treat the
inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Aspirin and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and dicolfenac,
have immediate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Drugs such as chloroquine,
penicillamine, azathioprine, sulfasalazine and methotrexate are used for
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These agents can control symptoms and may
possibly delay progression of the disease, but many of them can also cause
severe adverse effects and diminish in effectiveness over time.
To ease arthritis pain, you do not necessarily have to
rely solely on pain pills and steroids. Traditional Chinese medicine offer
arthritis pain sufferers the option of natural pain management and relief
therapies without adverse side effects. If you would like to pursue this form
of treatment or information, please contact Xiaoyan.
Arthritis
