Arthritis is actually an umbrella term for over 100 different joint conditions that particularly affect people in their elder years. Symptoms include pain that accompanies swelling and stiffness of the joints. The symptoms are not always constant but flare-ups can affect how one leads his or her daily life as the pain is unpredictable. Some of the most common forms are Osteoarthritis (where the cartilage-the lubricant between bones-in joints wears down) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (an inflammatory condition in which the body attacks itself with joints as one of the main targets) Different types of arthritis can also impact other parts of the body aside from the joints as well.
However, there are many ways to manage arthritis and its complications. If you or your loved one is having these mild to severe pains in the joints, a doctor will be able to give you a regimen to help manage their symptoms. There are many different types of drugs that may mitigate pain and manage inflammation that may be damaging said joints. There are several different surgical treatments for arthritis as well ranging from simple arthroscopy procedures to full knee and hip replacements. Many of these surgeries have their own unique risks and complications, so you or your loved one’s age, mobility and other factors may play a role into which path to take.
Maintaining a healthy weight and giving up smoking will decrease you or your senior’s risk of developing some of these types of arthritis. There are several foods that might help in regard to arthritic pain. Among them are broccoli, beans, green tea and citrus fruits. Some food ingredients to avoid that may cause additional inflammation of the joints are Trans-Fats, Saturated Fats and Sugar.
While there is no “magic bullet” that cures arthritis, there is a great amount we can do to help our aging loved ones move through a difficult stage in life. From simple diet changes to complex surgical procedures, there is hope that life will not always be painful for those suffering from arthritis.
Management
joint protection
treatments
diet