Rheumatologists are perhaps the most visited experts today, considering the growing number of arthritis cases in the elderly and the young alike. It is therefore, only consistent for rheumatologists to be answerable to certain very common questions. So, here are four questions that arthritis patients commonly ask rheumatologists.
Isn’t there just one type of Arthritis?
There are many different types of arthritis and the most common type is osteoarthritis, which is referred to as a common type of “wear-and-tear”. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 million Americans get affected with osteoarthritis. There are many other types of arthritis that include autoimmune mediated disease that cause the body to attack the joints of its own. Some common examples include psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Can Arthritis be cured?
There is no cure for arthritis yet. Treatment goal for arthritis is to maximize pain management and thus, better quality of life. The goal is also to protect the joints from trauma. For autoimmune disease-related arthritis, the goal is remission, which is achievable in present times. If you are suffering from inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, it is best to wait for time to heal the pain.
Sometimes, it can also get worse with time. The more time that passes from the beginning of inflammation, the more irreversible joint damage can become. Therefore, it is important for disease-modifying medications be started by the rheumatologist soon after the diagnosis.
What treatment is offered other than pain relievers or joint replacement?
Most times, people get overburdened by the use of OTC pain killers which makes them want to be recommended some other type of treatment and something other than a joint replacement surgery. There can be several treatment options for arthritis depending on the type of arthritis that you have. For instance, for hand arthritis, the American College of Rheumatology recommends that one try over-the-counter topical capsaicin cream in addition to oral medications for relief. Ask your rheumatologist to give you a prescription.
What should be eaten to soothe arthritis?
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet will help you to not only look better but also to feel better and thus, help your joints. One of the best foods to eat for arthritis is fish which ahs friendly omegas that tends to start a riot against inflammation. Do not leave spices such as turmeric and ginger that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
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