Arthritis is a condition also known as rheumatism and it includes nearly a hundred conditions characterized by pain in the tendons, joints, bones and tendons for most of the elements that make up our body. It is generated by wear, infection or trauma. Arthritis can still be an autoimmune disease when certain elements of our body attack its own tissues.
Arthritis is a disease that increases with age. These are several inflammations affecting mainly the joints and bones . It usually begins when the adult reaches the age of 40. The pathologies grouped under the name of arthritis are accompanied by pain. A large number of pathologies are grouped under the name of arthritis. Among the most common are ankylosing spondylitis, gout, infectious arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a pathology that induces an damage to the cartilage which wear out and leave the bones in contact. The pain only occurs when the person moves. Arthritis causes pain at rest .
This form of arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease. It concerns between 0.5% and 1% of the population. rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation joints, but also certain organs. This disease affects the joints of the hands, feet and handles mainly. It is more common in women than in men and its cause remains unknown to date.
Gout is a form of arthritis defined by high uric acid levels in the blood . It mainly causes pain in the big toe. In this case, there is a deposit of crystals in the joints due to uric acid.
This autoimmune disease affects several organs of the body as well as the joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis is arthritis that primarily affects the lower back and spine . This chronic inflammation can lead to stiffening.
This form of inflammatory arthritis is caused by a fungus, virus or bacteria . It often follows surgery or injury and can be had at any age. She treats herself with antibiotics or other drug treatment when necessary.
In principle, the main cause of arthritis is aging , but also a ligament or joint trauma or a family predisposition . It can still appear when a person is overweight or obese or practices sport with intensity.
Arthritis is diagnosed when the doctor asks his patient about his ailments, the clinical examination , but it is also confirmed with medical imaging such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI. The examinations make it possible to know the degree of impairment. In some cases, the doctor may also request a examination of the synovial fluid .
Curing arthritis requires treatment specific to the form of the disease. It can also be relieved by acts with a physiotherapist to help the person affected by the disease to have less joint stiffness and thus experience a reduction in pain. In the event of an acute arthritis attack, putting the joint to rest concerned is recommended. The application of cold can relieve inflammation. The patient also takes painkillers , anti-inflammatories or cortisone injections if the first treatments are not enough.
Today, surgery is used when the pain caused by arthritis is intense. In general, the patient with arthritis undergoes a synovectomy or has a prosthesis fitted to regain good mobility without suffering.
To lessen the attacks of arthritis, it is necessary to walk, swim or cycle to soften the joints. Alternative medicines are still to be used, because they are very good complementary treatments when arthritis becomes debilitating, such as:
In order to prevent arthritis, as a person ages, the first thing they need to do is watch their weight. Thus, it preserves its joints longer. If she has gout, she needs to eliminate certain foods such as beer and moderate consumption of meat, dairy products or fish. Here are the specific foods to avoid when you have arthritis
Certain foods contribute to triggering arthritis attacks. They must therefore be reduced, or even eliminated for some. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
When a person is prone to arthritis attacks, he must consume protein-rich foods such as:
In order to reduce the pain caused by arthritis, the elderly have recourse to several practitioners offering them:
Note that :in the EHPADs, the rehabilitation sessions are carried out by the staff and specialist workers. Some of these establishments still offer knitting therapy to maintain independence of the hands and prevent arthritis. This activity, which also requires great concentration, also makes it possible to work on memory at the start of certain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Elderly people with arthritis can do a few small exercises daily to relieve arthritis pain. Just close your hands with your thumb inside and stay like that for five seconds. Relax and repeat the exercise. Put the elbow on the table and slowly push the open palm of one hand back with the other hand. Leave for five seconds and release. The third and last daily exercise is to make an O with the hand touching the thumb with the index finger.
Older people with regular bouts of arthritis should maintain physical fitness at a level commensurate with their age and ability to move, and watch their weight and diet. Arthritis attacks will be less painful or even spaced out or prevented depending on the case.
