You’ve heard the term used a lot but do you understand what it really is? The term’arthritis’ describes joint pain or joint disorder brought on by stiffness and inflammation in the joints. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or disease and will go away after that area is treated. The distinction with arthritis is that swelling and pain lasts for quite a long time or is recurring, which may damage the tissue with time.

Arthritis

It is extremely common in Americans, affecting 1 in 5 people over age 18. It’s also the primary cause of disability in Americans. If arthritis is left untreated, the bones that comprise the joint may lose their normal form, which makes it more painful to move and significantly restrict the selection of motion for this joint. Though everyone can develop arthritis, the dangers greatly increase with age. Arthritis may occur at any joint in the human body but is most common in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet.

The wrist, hand, and finger joints are among the main joints for performing daily tasks, and that’s the reason why the most frequent type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis. How can you know if you have Arthritis? Arthritis in hands can be tough to diagnose for a general doctor since it can begin in several ways and the signs can be tricky to recognize. The symptoms can come and go over time. The pain may be mild and come on gradually or it might come on quickly and trigger severe, surging pain that subsides in a couple of hours.

Keep in mind

Or, the signs may seem like something completely unrelated like tiredness or a rash. That’s why it’s important to know the signs to look for and which symptoms indicate a more serious underlying problem. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to make an appointment with a trained hand expert. How is Arthritis treated? When it comes to treating your arthritis, sooner is better. Should you have arthritis, knowing which type of arthritis is the trick to a successful treatment and management strategy for your joints.

For instance, treatment for Osteoarthritis of the thumb differs from the treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some types behave faster than others, so prompt treatment is vital to prevent any permanent damage. However, if the pain is milder and less frequent, you can save the conversation to your next doctor visit. If you are experiencing hand arthritis symptoms, seek treatment from a hand specialist since they will have a better likelihood of diagnosing your hands arthritis correctly.

Can Arthritis be averted?

These preventative methods are more effective depending on the space where you are experiencing joint pain. If you are experiencing arthritis of the hands, using hot and cold remedies can help relieve the pain. Additionally, range-of-motion exercises can help keep the joint flexible and stop long-term stiffness. Though these preventative measures may help temporarily alleviate the issue, they won’t treat the underlying matter. If you think you might be experiencing arthritis, speak with your physician or contact a professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment strategy.