Sore, achy knees. Stiff, hard-to-move fingers. Inflamed joints. As we age, little aches and pains become more pronounced and common – but this doesn’t mean they are normal. For many Americans, these aches and pains are persistent. If you are suffering from swelling, pain, and stiffness in and around your joints, you may have arthritis.
If you do, you’re most certainly not alone: According to statistics, almost 59 million adults in the U.S. suffer from a form of arthritis. As one of the leading causes of work disability in our country, it’s clear that this issue is problematic and painful. But that doesn’t mean that you have to let arthritis dictate your life.
If you’re reading this page, chances are you’ve got questions like:
- What is arthritis?
- What causes arthritis?
- What are the symptoms of arthritis?
- Who is at risk of developing arthritis?
- What are the treatments for arthritis?
Let’s dive in and answer some of the questions you’re probably thinking about right now.
What is Arthritis?
Despite what many think, arthritis isn’t a singular disease. It’s a term that means joint pain or joint inflammation. As of this writing, there are over 100 types of arthritis. Though it’s most common in older adults and women, arthritis affects people of all ages, sexes, and races.
The two most prolific types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis:
This type of arthritis happens when everyday wear and tear eventually damage your joint’s cartilage. With enough damage, this type of arthritis may worsen over time and be very painful.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
This type of arthritis is actually caused by your own body’s immune system, which attacks your joint’s synovial membrane. With time, this type of arthritis causes degenerative issues like destroying your bone and cartilage.
Other forms of arthritis include:
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Septic Arthritis
- Gout
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
The most typical symptom of arthritis centers around your joints. Though symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis you have, common symptoms include:
- Stiffness
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Less Range of Motion
What Causes Arthritis?
With so many types of arthritis, the causes vary. As an example, gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your body. The causes of other types of arthritis are unknown, though many people who have arthritis can trace their condition back to inherited genes. That’s often true with juvenile arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Likewise, people suffering from osteoarthritis may inherit weakened cartilage.
Other causes of arthritis include:
- History of arthritis in the family
- Chronic inflammation
- Lymes Disease
- Life choices and job demands that put stress on joints
- Viral infections or autoimmune diseases
Who Is at Risk of Developing Arthritis?
As is the case with causes, risk factors vary depending on the type of arthritis. Some of the most typical risk factors include:
Sex
Women are more likely to suffer from arthritis than men.
Lifestyle
Lack of exercise, smoking, and other poor life choices can cause arthritis
Weight
Overweight and obese people put extra strain on their joints. This often causes arthritis.
Age
Risk of arthritis tends to increase as you get older.
What Are the Treatments for Arthritis?
Usually, treatments for arthritis focus on pain relief and improving joint function. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, you may need a combination of treatments, like those you’ll find at Denville Medical.
It’s best to start with non-invasive arthritis treatment options, such as:
Physical Therapy
Certain exercises taught by physical therapists can improve range of motion and muscle strength.
Bloodwork
Understanding a clear understanding of how your body is functioning internally gives great guidance on how to properly treat the body.
NSAIDs
Over-the-counter medications to reduce inflammation and pain.
Counter Irritants
Products such as creams and ointments that have capsaicin or menthol can interfere with pain signal transmission, therefore reducing pain
Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs
These drugs slow the advancement of rheumatoid arthritis while saving joints and tissues from long-term damage.
Food Sensitivity Evaluation
Understand which foods to avoid as well as consume in order to reduce pain.
Trust Denville Medical for Custom Arthritis Treatment
Contact Denville Medical and Sports Rehab today if you’re living with arthritis but haven’t found relief from your condition. Our team of physical health providers and physical therapists use both traditional treatment and unique treatment options to reduce pain and give you a new lease on life.
Don’t let arthritis run your life – contact Denville Medical to begin arthritis treatment in New Jersey today.
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161 East Main Street, Route 53, Denville, New Jersey 07834
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