Can you
imagine walking on nails? That is what
some forms of arthritis equate to. There
are many forms of arthritis, and it does not always affect only the elderly.
Types of
Arthritis
There are
actually more than 100 types of arthritis, some of the more common ones are-
Osteoarthritis
is present in elderly patients; however, obesity raises the risk to being
affected at an earlier age. The cartilage inside joints begins to wear down, because
nothing good lasts forever, right? When
this occurs the bones of the joint rub against one another, causing pain. The pain level varies, and often results in
joint replacement surgery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This form
of arthritis often strikes younger people, as the body's immune system attacks
its own cells. The lining of the joint
is generally what is affected, and over time the breakdown becomes beyond
repair.
Psoriatic
Arthritis
This form
of arthritis can be visible on the skin surface. The autoimmune system attacks the body and
the tissue, tendons and ligaments can become affected. It then becomes psoriasis on the surface of
the skin. This is generally a bad case of psoriasis, and may need treatment by
a dermatologist as well as an orthopedic physician.
All three
forms of arthritis can create the need for joint replacement. As a nurse, if you have not worked with a
patient after joint replacement, you will quickly learn that most have
something in common: they do not want to walk.
It's painful getting back up moving, but a vital part of recovery, and
patients should be made aware of this.
You may need to provide some motivation, as most physicians expect
progress on the patient's mobility status.
Fibromyalgia
is a form of arthritis, but quite different from other forms. It is suggested that in these cases the brain
does not process pain well, and in return nerve endings can create a pain cycle
for virtually no reason. It can also
cause excessive tiredness, and an overall feeling of the flu. There are some new medications to treat this
condition, however many opt for OTC pain relievers. Patients that have this
condition may have been met with resistance, as it is difficult to diagnose,
and in the past patients were said to simply be over-reacting.
Gout
Gout is
painful, but in most cases temporary. It
generally affects one area, often a toe, and is caused by Uralic acid
crystals. Gout used to be referred to as
the rich man's disease, as it was suspected red meat and red wine contributed
to it. That theory is now
dissolved. Gout is usually treated with
anti-inflammatory, pain medication, and ice to relieve swelling. It usually gets better within a week,
however, seeing a doctor is advised to avoid the risk of an infection. Nurses that see patients with gout should be
warned of one thing, do not squeeze or push on the affected area, it can be
extremely sore.
Patients
with arthritis in the lower portion of their body need to continue the one
thing they usually are avoiding, walking.
It's painful, so difficult.
Suggesting a walker or cane may be of benefit, however, it is important
to be mobile, joints and bones that stay at rest only get worse.
Avoiding
arthritis would be great, although it is estimated that by age 60 more than
half the population has some form of it.
Getting plenty of calcium and regular exercise is a step in helping to
prevent the onset, or at least to minimize it. Arthritis is said to be inherited, so at times
precautions and exercise to prevent it are unsuccessful. Patients should maintain a healthy weight,
and enjoy exercise such as swimming, as it is much less intrusive on bones and
joints. The Arthritis Foundation can be
a great resource for patients. They offer group support meetings, nutritional
advice, new medication information, and exercise groups such as swim
aerobics. Encourage patients to take
control of arthritis, and not let it control them. Staying mobile and healthy is the first step in the right
direction.
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