Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of
your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis
are joint pain and stiffness, which typically
worsen with age. The most common types
of arthritis are osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis causes cartilage -the hard,
slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones
where they form a joint -to break down.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune
disorder that first targets the lining of joints
Uric acid crystals, infections or underlying
disease, such as psoriasis or lupus, can
cause other types of arthritis.
Treatments vary depending on the type of
arthritis. The main goals of arthritis
treatments are to reduce symptoms and
improve quality of life.
SYMPTOMS
The most common signs and symptoms of
arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the
type of arthritis you have, your signs and
symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
4.Redness - Decreased range of motion
Medications
The medications used to treat arthritis vary
depending on the type of arthritis.
Commonly used arthritis medications
include:
- Analgesics. These types of medications
help reduce pain, but have no effect on
inflammation. Examples include
acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), tramadol
(Ultram, others) and narcotics containing
oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin, others) or
hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, others).
-- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce both pain and
inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs
include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Some types of
NSAIDs are available only by prescription.
Oral NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation,
and some may increase your risk of heart
attack or stroke. Some NSAIDs are also
available as creams or gels, which can be
rubbed on joints.
Counterirritants. Some varieties of
Creams and ointments contain menthol or
capsaicin, the ingredient that makes hot
peppers spicy. Rubbing these preparations
on the skin over your aching joint may
interfere with the transmission of pain
signals from the joint itself.Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMARDs). Often used to treat rheumatoid
arthritis, DMARDs slow or stop your immune
system from attacking your joints. Examples
include methotrexate (Trexall) and
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).Biologics. Typically used in conjunction
with DMARDs, biologic response modifiers
are genetically engineered drugs that target
various protein molecules that are involved
in the immune response. Examples include
etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab
(Remicade).Corticosteroids. This class of drug, which
includes prednisone and cortisone, reduces
inflammation and suppresses the immune
system. Corticosteroids can be taken orally
or be injected directly into the painful joint.
