Don't ignore early signs of arthritis
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Published: July 24, 2006
Dr. T. Glenn Pait, associate professor of neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and director of the Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute at UAMS, thinks that treatment for arthritis should be multipronged.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 42 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis of some form; another 23.2 million people live with chronic joint symptoms but have not been diagnosed by a doctor.
Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn't a disease that affects only older adults.
More than half of the cases involve people younger than 65, including nearly 3 million children.
The term arthritis is used to describe more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint and other connective tissue.
The pattern, severity and location of symptoms can vary depending on the specific form of the disease.
Some forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, scleroderma and fibromyalgia.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, a chronic disease that causes a breakdown of the cushioning cartilage in joints and the formation of new bone at the margin of joints.
Osteoarthritis is frequently called degenerative joint disease. About half of the nation's population older than 65 will have this type of arthritis.
By age 70, almost all individuals will have some form of osteoarthritis.
Treatment for osteoarthritis typically begins with patient education.
It's important that a patient understands the "do's" and "don'ts" of his or her daily activities.
Weight loss is extremely important to those osteoarthritis patients since decreased weight placed on arthritic joints means less stress placed on the joints.
Treating osteoarthritis typically begins with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; the non-prescription forms of these drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen.
Some other over-the-counter drugs include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, both of which help patients control their pain but cannot help grow new cartilage.
Medications, however, cannot do the job alone.
They need to be accompanied by lifestyle changes that include exercise, which is important to maintain joint and overall body mobility.
Any treatment for osteoarthritis should involve physical and occupational therapies to provide exercise for the joints that are affected.
Water aerobics and swimming are good examples since water supports the body and muscles can be exercised without stress or straining joints.
Usually, the benefits of therapy will be seen in three to six weeks.
If medications and physical therapy fail to bring about improvement in the quality of life for an osteoarthritis patient, surgery may be recommended.
Surgery is intended to replace or repair damaged joints in severe situations for which medical treatment options have failed.
As indicated earlier, there are many forms of arthritis and each one affects individuals differently. The outcome of each case cannot be totally predicted.
It is important not to ignore early symptoms and signs of the disease.
A physician should evaluate any aches and pains in any joint, especially the spine, that do not go away within a reasonable time.
Early diagnosis, testing and treatment are the best ways to promote continued health while living with arthritis.
Barbara Hanson is director of community resource development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. For information about senior services, call the Senior Helpline at 800-642-5119 or 786-5991 or visit www.svcoa.org.
Meals on Wheels
Monday: Baked American goulash, green beans, sourdough Italian bread, pineapple chunks.
Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice pilaf, Oriental vegetables, rye bread, grapes.
Wednesday: Sliced beef, Swiss cheese, mustard p.c., macaroni with tuna, tossed salad with dressing, rye bread, apple cake.
Thursday: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli florets, wheat bread, cherry Jello with fruit.
Friday: Beef Stroganoff, rotini noodles, spinach, pumpernickel bread, peaches.
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