What Is
Arthritis?
Many people start to feel pain and stiffness in their bodies over time.
Sometimes their hands or knees or hips get sore and are hard to move.
These people may have arthritis.
Any part of your body can become inflamed or painful from arthritis.
Arthritis is an illness that can cause pain and swelling in your
joints. Over time, the joint can become severely damaged. Joints are
places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Some kinds of
arthritis can cause problems in other organs, such as your eyes, or in
your chest. It can affect your skin, too.
These problems may be caused by inflammation, a swelling that can
include pain or redness. They are telling you that something is wrong.
Some people may worry that arthritis means they won't be able to work
or take care of their children and their family. Others think that you
just have to accept things like arthritis.
It's true that arthritis can be painful. But there are things you can
do to feel better. This website tells you some facts about arthritis
and gives you some ideas about what to do, so you can keep doing the
things you want to do.
There are several kinds of arthritis. The two most common ones are
rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
1. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This is the
form that usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers,
knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint.
For example, a young person might hurt his knee badly playing soccer.
Then, years after the knee has apparently healed, he might get
arthritis in his knee joint.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body's own defense system
doesn't work properly. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks the
body. It affects joints, bones, and organs--often the hands and feet.
Rheumatoid arthritis can make it hard to hold a pencil or a brush. You
may feel sick or tired, and you may have a fever.
Other conditions can also cause arthritis. Some include:
- Gout,
in which crystals build up in the joints. It usually affects the big
toe.
- Lupus,
in which the body's defense system can harm the joints, the heart, the
skin, the kidneys, and other organs.
- Viral
hepatitis, in which an infection of the liver can cause arthritis.
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Do I Have Arthritis?
Pain is the way your body tells you that something is wrong. Most kinds
of arthritis cause pain in your joints. You might have trouble moving
around. Some kinds of arthritis can affect different parts of your
body. So, along with the arthritis, you may:
-
Have a fever
-
Lose weight
-
Have trouble breathing
-
Get a rash or itch
These
symptoms may also be signs of other illnesses.
Having stiffness or pain when you move could be a sign of arthritis.
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What Can
I Do?
Go see a doctor! Many people use herbs or non-prescription pain
medicines, however, many of these are in-effective and some herbal
remedies contain powerful and dangerous chemicals; you should tell your
doctor if you do use any home remedies. Only a doctor can tell if you
have arthritis or a related condition and what to do about it. It's too
important to your health to wait.
You'll need to tell the doctor how you feel and where you hurt. The
doctor will examine you and may take x rays (pictures) of your bones or
joints. X rays don't hurt and are generally considered safe. You may
also have to give a little blood for tests that will help the doctor
decide if you have arthritis and what kind you have. X rays will tell
the doctor what is happening to the bones and joints inside your body.
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How
Will the Doctor Help?
After the doctor knows what kind of arthritis you have, he or she will
talk with you about the best way to treat it. The doctor may give you a
prescription for medicine that will help with the pain, stiffness, and
inflammation. Health insurance or public assistance may help you pay
for the medicine, doctor visits, tests, and x rays. To get your
medicine, take your prescription to your local drugstore or send it to
your mail-order provider.
With the advent of the world wideweb, now there are also online
pharmacies, some of which can connect you to a doctor as part of their
service. Some prescription medicines to treat arthritis pain include:
Vioxx
- This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), also
known as a COX-2 inhibitor, used to relieve the symptoms of
osteoarthritis and to treat pain.
Celebrex
- This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), also
known as a COX-2 inhibitor, used to relieve the symptoms of
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
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How Should I Use Arthritis Medicine?
Before you leave the doctor's office, make sure you ask about the best
way to take the medicine the doctor prescribes. For example, you may
need to take some medicines with milk, or you may need to eat something
just before or after taking them, to make sure they don't upset your
stomach.
You should also ask how often to take the medicine or to put cream on
the spots that bother you. Creams might make your skin and joints feel
better. Sometimes, though, they can make your skin burn or break out in
a rash. If this happens, call the doctor.
You may need to drink milk or eat when you take your medicine.
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What
If I Still Hurt?
Sometimes you might still have pain after using your medicine. Here are
some things to try:
- Take
a warm shower.
- Do
some gentle stretching exercises.
- Use
an ice pack on the sore area.
- Rest
the sore joint.
If you still hurt after using your medicine correctly and doing one or
more of these things, call your doctor. Another kind of medicine might
work better for you. Some people can also benefit from surgery, such as
joint replacement.
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You
Can Feel Better!
Arthritis can damage your joints, organs, and skin. There are things
you can do to keep the damage from getting worse. They might also make
you feel better:
- GET
MEDICAL ATTENTION. See your doctor regularly.
- STAY
FIT. Try to keep your weight down. Too much weight can make your knees
and hips hurt.
- EXERCISE.
Keeping active may help reduce the stiffness in your joints. Moving all
of your joints will help you. The doctor or nurse can show you how to
move more easily. Swimming is especially good exercise. It has low
impact forces, and can be a very complete way to exercise many muscle
groups.Going for a walk every day will help, too.
- STOP
SMOKING. Smoking destroys your immune system and may worsen Rheumatoid
arthritis.
- Take
your medicines when and how you are supposed to. They can help reduce
pain and stiffness.
- Try
taking a warm shower in the morning.
- Seek
information that can help you.
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For More Help
For more information on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin
diseases, contact any of the following organizations:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and
Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
(301) 495-4484
Toll free: (877) 22-NIAMS
TTY: (301) 565-2966
Fax: (301) 718-6366
World Wide Web address: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/
The NIAMS, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the
Federal Government research effort in arthritis and musculoskeletal and
skin diseases in the United States. The National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse is a
public service sponsored by the NIAMS. This site also has much more
information on arthritis and other bone, joint, and skin problems.
Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
(800) 283-7800
(404) 872-7100 or your local chapter listed in the telephone book.
World Wide Web address: http://www.arthritis.org/
The Arthritis Foundation is the major voluntary organization devoted to
supporting arthritis research and providing education and other
services to people with arthritis. This foundation publishes free
pamphlets on arthritis, as well as arthritis self-help books in English
and Spanish.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
P.O. Box 2058
Des Plaines, IL 60017
Phone: 800-824-BONE (2663) (free of charge)
World Wide Web address: http://www.aaos.org/
The academy provides education and practice management services for
orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. It also serves as
an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the
science of orthopaedics. The orthopaedist's scope of practice includes
disorders of the body's bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
For a single copy of an AAOS brochure, send a self-addressed stamped
envelope to the address above or visit the AAOS Web site.
American College of Rheumatology
1800 Century Place, Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 633-3777
Fax: (404) 633-1870
World Wide Web address: http://www.rheumatology.org/
This association provides referrals to doctors and health professionals
who work on arthritis, rheumatic diseases, and related conditions. The
association also provides educational materials and guidelines.
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Online Pharmacies
Online ordering of prescription pain medications for arthritis is
available from:
Online Pharmacy
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Arthritis medications
Allopurinol -
Allopurinol (one brand name is Zyloprim) is a hyperuricemic agent used
to treat gout and to prevent certain kidney stones from reforming. It
may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Etoricoxib -
Etoricoxib (one brand name is Arcoxia) can be used to treat acute gouty
arthritis, osteoarthritis and other conditions as determined by your
doctor.
Flurbiprofen -
Flurbiprofen (one brand name is Ansaid) is a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve the symptoms of pain and
arthritis.
Leflunomide -
Leflunomide (one brand name is Arava) is a pyrimidine synthesis
inhibitor used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This medicine may be used
to reduce the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, slow the
development of damage to the joints, and to improve physical
function.
Nabumetone -
Nabumetone (one brand name is Relafen) is a Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) used to relieve the symptoms of
arthritis. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined
by your doctor.
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