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 Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. It’s a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting an estimated 21 million adults. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Steady or intermittent pain in a joint.
- Stiffness after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting.
- Swelling or tenderness in 1 or more joints.
- Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone when the joint is used
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans, or about 1% of the adult population in the United States. This disease is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men, and generally affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. However, young children can develop a form of rheumatoid arthritis called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis differ from person to person but can generally include:
- Joint tenderness, warmth, and swelling.
- Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 1 hour in the morning or after a long rest.
- Joint inflammation in the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand
- Fatigue, an occasional fever, and a general sense of not feeling well
Many drugs are now used to treat the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and dicolfenac, have immediate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Drugs such as chloroquine, penicillamine, azathioprine, sulfasalazine and methotrexate are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These agents can control symptoms and may possibly delay progression of the disease, but many of them can also cause severe adverse effects and diminish in effectiveness over time.
To ease arthritis pain, you do not necessarily have to rely solely on pain pills and steroids. Traditional Chinese medicine offer arthritis pain sufferers the option of natural pain management and relief therapies without adverse side effects. If you would like to pursue this form of treatment or information, please contact Xiaoyan.
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