We talk about arthritis when one or more joints suffer from inflammation. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is usually caused by normal wear and tear (aging), while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Other types of arthritis can be caused by uric acid crystals, infections, or even an underlying condition such as psoriasis or lupus. Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis, with their main goal being to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis directly affect the joints and may include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and loss of mobility.
Arthritis: Causes
The pain associated with arthritis is caused by joint damage. Indeed, joints consist of the following elements:
- Cartilage. Both hard and smooth, like coated, cartilage is located at the ends of bones and allows the first bone of the joint to slide smoothly over the other.
- Joint capsule. This tough membrane encloses all the joint parts.
- Synovial membrane. This thin membrane lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid that lubricates the joint and nourishes the cartilage.
- In osteoarthritis, extreme wear of the cartilage can nullify the joint's function, as the cartilage that allows the bones to slide over each other has disappeared. This wear can occur over many years, or it can be accelerated by joint injury or infection. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints and inflames the synovial membrane, causing swelling, redness, and pain. The disease can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
Arthritis: Risk Factors
- Family history. Some types of arthritis are hereditary, and genes, combined with environmental factors, can trigger arthritis.
- Age. The risk of developing many types of arthritis (including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout) increases with age.
- Gender. Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while gout is more of a male disease.
- Previous joint injuries. When joints have been previously damaged, such as during intense sports practice, the likelihood of developing arthritis in the long term is quite high.
- Obesity. Excess weight puts increased pressure on the weight-bearing joints, especially the knees, hips, and spine. Obese individuals have a higher risk of suffering from arthritis.
Arthritis: Complications
In cases of severe arthritis, which typically affects the hands or arms, it becomes difficult to perform daily tasks. Additionally, arthritis in weight-bearing joints makes walking with ease or simply sitting comfortably impossible. In some cases, joints twist, deforming the affected limbs (fingers, hands, ankles).
Arthritis: Conventional Treatments
Arthritis treatment focuses on two goals: relieving symptoms and improving joint function. Since each person is different, it is sometimes necessary to try several treatments to find the right ones.
1. Medications
- Analgesics. These types of medications help reduce pain but have no effect on inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter, the most well-known is ibuprofen. Other NSAIDs, more targeted, in oral form or as creams or gels (to rub on the joints), are available only by prescription.
- Counterirritants. Presented in the form of creams or ointments, they mostly contain menthol or capsaicin (derived from chili). Rubbing these preparations on the skin of the joint relieves pain by interfering with the transmission of pain signals from the joint.
- Corticosteroids (containing cortisone) reduce inflammation and inhibit the immune system. They can be taken orally or injected directly into the painful joint.
2. Physical Therapy
It can be helpful for certain types of arthritis. Exercises can improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints. In some cases, the use of splints or braces may be justified.
3. Surgery
Sometimes surgery is necessary to replace a damaged joint with an artificial joint. The most commonly replaced joints are the hips and knees. On smaller joints, arthrodesis technique is sometimes used. It consists of removing the ends of both bones of the affected joint, thus locking the ends until they fuse into a single rigid unit.
4. Adapted Lifestyle
For overweight individuals, weight loss reduces pressure on weight-bearing joints by increasing mobility to limit the appearance of future joint injuries. Regular participation in sports can help maintain flexible joints. Swimming and all new water sports (aquatic biking, aqua aerobics, etc.) are very accessible because water reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. Heating or cooling pads help temporarily relieve arthritis pain.
Arthritis and Alternative Medicines
Many people use alternative remedies for arthritis. Often overlooked by conventional medicine, alternative solutions (especially in herbal medicine) provide undeniable help in alleviating pain and improving the comfort of people suffering from inflammation. Since each case is different, it is interesting to explore and perhaps find what suits you best.
Acupuncture. This therapy uses fine needles inserted at specific points of the body to reduce many types of pain, including those caused by certain types of arthritis.
Nutritional Therapy allows acting preventively (for people with a favorable terrain) and protectively. Many active ingredients are used such as omega-3 fatty acids (for their protective action in case of inflammation), glucosamine and chondroitin, collagen, etc.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. This therapy involves stimulating nerves near the painful joint with mild electrical impulses to interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Yoga or Tai Chi. The slow movements, mastery of breathing, and stretching associated with yoga and tai chi can help improve joint flexibility and range of motion in people with certain types of arthritis.
Herbal Medicine is the ancestor of modern medicine. As such, it has precedence over many anti-inflammatory agents. Plants such as devil's claw, meadowsweet, blackcurrant, horsetail, and many others, depending on the local pharmacopoeia, can be of great help in relieving pain while providing essential elements for joint repair.