Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. Roughly 22.7 percent (54.4 million) of all adults have arthritis that’s been diagnosed by a physician. And the older we get, the more of us have it.
That information from The Arthritis Foundation and Centers for Disease Control point to a fact that any of us who’ve woken up with stiff knees or achy shoulders know all too well: it’s a common condition. What isn’t as well known is that arthritis is a deceptively broad term that’s not well understood.
Ouch, That Hurts
Arthritis “just means pain and swelling in a joint,” says Elaine Husni, M.D., M.P.H., a rheumatologist and director of the Arthritis and Musculo-Skeletal Center at the Cleveland Clinic.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two commonly known types of arthritis diseases, but she notes, “There are more than 100 conditions that can affect the joints. And there are so many causes.”
“We can’t put it all in one category with one treatment. It depends on what kind of arthritis you have, and symptoms and treatment will vary,” Dr. Husni adds.
The presence and severity of four key warning signs will help your doctor determine what type of arthritis you have and what may be done about it, says Courtney Durbin, Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern Ohio.
Four warning signs include:
- Pain. It might be constant or come and go. It may be present when moving or at rest.
- Swelling. Swelling of the joint might be severe enough that skin in the affected area becomes warm and swollen.
- Stiffness. This is common when waking up or standing up and starting to move.
- Movement. It is difficult to move a joint.
Now What?
“Keep track of your symptoms for a couple weeks and how long they last,” says Durbin. “This information will help your doctor determine what kind of arthritis and what’s next. Note other symptoms that may feel unrelated like a rash, fever, fatigue.
“Pain is not a way to live,” she says. “If it’s interfering with your way of life, it’s time to see a doctor.”
There is a misconception that arthritis is just joint pain, and those who have it should simply “power through” it. Joint pain and arthritis are not the same. Arthritis is a significant disease that can worsen over time, Durbin says. “You should seek help to prevent further joint damage.”
Don’t get discouraged if the solution doesn’t come quickly. “Not all (primary care physicians) are created equal; some may have more experience, but they’re not the arthritis specialist,” she says.
“It’s important to be vocal and communicate thoroughly with your doctor. That’s why tracking symptoms is important. To control the pain and related problems, the type of arthritis must first be identified.”
Dr. Husni says a primary care doctor who knows you best can identify the next steps. “They’ll sort things out and refer you to an orthopedic or sports specialist or to a rheumatologist or suggest physical therapy.”
Evaluating the conditions that cause joint symptoms may include assessing your medical history, examining the area, blood tests and imaging like X-ray, MRI or ultrasound. “We put all that together and come up with a clinical diagnosis. Sometimes this can take several visits,” says Husni.
Medical intervention ranges from medication and physical therapy to injections and joint replacement.
Treatment is more than a prescription. It involves lifestyle, too. Diet and exercise matter. “It was once thought that you should lay down and be still. We know now that it’s the opposite. Exercise is vital to managing arthritis. Motion is lotion,” Durbin says.
Dr. Husni reminds people that the solution includes exercise and a sensible diet, not a fad diet. Patients may need to lose weight to reduce joint impact. “If you’re overweight, then a healthy diet that reduces caloric intake becomes more important. If you’re eating well and at a normal weight, there’s no extra diet plan that you should be doing. That’s because diet is likely indirectly related to arthritis.”
Managing Arthritis Pain
- Don’t take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine like acetaminophen or NSAIDs for more than 10 days unless directed by a doctor. Pain relievers have risks if taken for a long time. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking them often. You may need to change your treatment plan to better manage your arthritis and discuss non-drug options for reducing pain.
- Taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC drug will NOT ease pain faster. Always follow the dosage instructions on the label unless directed by your doctor. Taking more than the listed dose can cause you to exceed the maximum daily dosage and worsen side effects.
- If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages daily, you should NOT take NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Excessive alcohol drinking can lead to liver damage if you take acetaminophen or cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding if you take NSAIDs.
Source: The Arthritis Foundation
