What you don’t know can hurt you. Arthritis can strike anyone at any time and although researchers don’t know what causes arthritis, with early diagnosis and treatment therapies you can still enjoy an active lifestyle.
Arthritis is a generic word that represents over 100 rheumatic diseases including: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, and lupus.
The focus here will be on osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) affects one in 10 Canadians. Generally it appears in adults over the age of 45. OA is usually found in weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, spine, and feet) and in the hands.
The disease is characterized by thinning of the cartilage and thickening of the bone underneath. Over time the cartilage breaks down, and the ends of the bone become rough and may develop spurs.
Symptoms of OA include joint pain and stiffening. Swelling may develop, and a loss of range of motion in the joint may be experienced.
Rheumatoid arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the body’s immune system attacks healthy joints, causing inflammation in the joint linings. The result is erosion of cartilage, bone, tendons, and ligaments in the area around the joint. RA sufferers may develop disabilities such as difficulty walking or using hands for routine activities such as dressing.
RA is most common in adults from 25 to 50, but can appear in anyone—from infants to the elderly. RA can affect any of the joints in the body as well as tissues and organs.
Usually RA strikes symmetrically, so if you experience pain in your right wrist, you’ll also feel it in your left. Unlike OA, which can affect both men and women in the same ratio, RA affects two to three times more women than men.
Apart from joint pain, RA symptoms vary for each person. You may experience flu-like symptoms, periods of flare-up and remission, or continual progression of the disease. Early diagnosis of RA is important to minimize damage and the risk of disability.
Promote Quality of Life
Develop a plan
Working with your health care practitioner, you can contrive a strategy for minimizing pain and maximizing mobility like holistic therapies.
Exercise
For both types of arthritis, exercise has been shown to improve quality of life.
If you enjoy an exercise you are more likely to do it regularly and reap the benefits, such as weight management, increased energy, and better sleep.
Gyms offer treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical trainers. Therapeutic pools have the benefit of heat in addition to the buoyancy of water and offer aerobic conditioning for people with arthritis.
Holistic and complementary therapies
These therapies are based on the concept of energy flow (often referred to as chi) through the body. A block in the flow of this energy creates an imbalance. Over time this causes a breakdown in the physical body, resulting in an illness.
If you experience any pain or inflammation prior to or during your treatment or exercise routine, refrain until you consult your health care practitioner.
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