Treatment Of Arthritis
Arthritis is used to describe any one of thousands of arthritis types that can occur anywhere in the human body. An effective treatment plan for arthritis can help to manage the symptoms of the specific type of arthritis that you have.
Arthritis is typically a progressive disease, and over the years, you may try various treatment options or have a change in your treatment plan that is prescribed by your doctor or rheumatologist.
Finding the best treatment for arthritis can be a long process that is hampered by various obstacles and dependent upon the type of arthritis that you suffer from, the severity of the disease or how far the arthritis has progressed, and the aggressiveness with which you treat your condition.
Goals for the Treatment of Arthritis
Although different types of arthritis have different symptoms, the main two types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The goals for treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are similar and include:
- decreasing the symptoms of arthritis
- slowing the progression of the condition
- maintaining functionality of the joints
- minimizing damage to the joints
- preventing deformities
- preserving mobility
- maintaining range of motion in the affected area
- management of pain
Prior to diagnosis of arthritis, most people tend to self-medicate using over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pain, including oral formulations and topical creams, or may use more conservative treatment options like heat pads or ice packs. However, pain, stiffness, and swelling that persist for a period of time longer than two weeks requires a consultation with your doctor, even if the symptoms began to appear gradually or over time.
A medical diagnosis is needed in order to begin the appropriate treatment of arthritis. Most physicians will refer patients presenting with arthritic symptoms to a rheumatologist who specializes in the treatment of all types of arthritis.
Medication for the Treatment of Arthritis
Medications are considered to be the traditional arthritis treatment, and the type of medication that is recommended for your type of arthritis is best determined by your doctor, and may be a prescription or over-the-counter drug. Most commonly, arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen sodium.
Other medications include COX-2 inhibitors, analgesic pain medication, corticosteroids, anti-rheumatic drugs, and biologic response modifiers. When you are prescribed a medication for the treatment of arthritis, ask the prescribing physician why he prescribed the medicine to you, what the benefits of the medicine are, and how long you might have to be on the medicine in order to notice marked improvement. Understanding the medication that you are given in the treatment for arthritis is cornerstone to managing your condition and complying with your personal arthritis treatment plan.
Some types of arthritis are often treated with injections directly into the afflicted joint, using a procedure known as viscosupplementation. This type of injection involves the injection of a gel-like substance that is used to supplement the synovial fluid of the joint to relieve pain and swelling. In addition, steroid medication may be injected into a joint to ease inflammation and swelling, thus preventing pain and stiffness.
Natural Treatment of Arthritis
Many people with arthritis look to natural alternative treatments to help battle the symptoms of the disease. If you are interested in a natural approach to arthritis treatment, it is still vital that you inform your doctor about the treatment and get his or her approval prior to taking the treatment in order to avoid further damage to your joints. Some natural alternatives for treating arthritis include acupuncture, chiropractics, massage, magnet therapy, yoga, and nutritional supplementation with such supplements as fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, and MSM.
