Occupational therapists can teach arthritis sufferers how to perform daily activities in a way that doesn’t aggravate their condition. They can show them how to modify their home and workplace so that painful motions are reduced. It is also the therapist’s job to suggest products that can help perform everyday tasks with minimum effort. Products of this type help people with tasks that involve dressing, bathing, cooking and housekeeping. They are available on the LifeSolutionsPlus website.

Physical therapists are useful in providing information on how to use mobility aids such as walkers and crutches. They can also suggest various exercises, which are designed to strengthen muscles and help preserve the use of the joints.

There are several therapeutic methods available to patients to control pain and swelling. Rest is probably the most important especially when multiple joints are affected and fatigue is a problem. Individual joints affected by fatigue can be supported by the use of splints or a collar for the neck. Another major issue is weight control. This is a factor that must be controlled in the person with arthritis. Excess weight puts too much stress on already painful joints. Foot care also must be addressed since it is important that the body stay in alignment while walking. Finally, heat packs, ice packs and warm baths/showers are useful to help to relieve pain and relax muscle spasms around affected joints. In general, the person suffering from arthritis must improve his lifestyle. They must eat properly, get enough rest and do the right types of exercise. Swimming and water exercises have proven especially effective in reducing pain. Medication can also prove useful in controlling the pain and swelling associated with the disease.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints with swelling, redness and pain. It affects the joints in the arms and legs, specifically the wrists, fingers, knees and ankles. This type of arthritis is distinguished from other types of arthritis by its symmetry. This type of arthritis produces inflammation of the lining membrane of the joint. It affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It can also affect the heart, lungs and eyes in some patients.

The most common symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis is fatigue. Other symptoms include low-grade fevers, loss of appetite and loss of weight all of which precedes the pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Inability to sleep is another problem that adds to the patient’s overall fatigue. Morning stiffness and stiffness after inactivity are other common symptoms that may last for several minutes or up to several hours. Arthritis sufferers, in general, find that their pain increases when the weather changes, but sufferers of this type of arthritis are even more susceptible to rises in humidity and drips in barometric pressure. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis also have the presence of painless lumps under the skin usually on the forearms, ankles and fingers. These lumps disappear after a few months but the inflammation of the joints remain. The cause of this condition is unclear. It is believed by some doctors that patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis some virus or bacterium trigger the disease in those people who have a genetic predisposition to it. It is also associated with various infections such as strep throat and mononucleosis. Instances of severe stress and even the weather have been known to trigger the disease.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis may include prescription drugs and over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil. Over all body health is key. Body weight must be controlled so that excess weight is not put on effected joints. Adequate rest is important and a healthy diet is recommended so that the body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. An exercise program should be designed to strengthen muscles and to increase range of motion in the effected joints. Water exercises are the best since they put the least amount of strain on the joints. Since stress is a factor in this condition, it must controlled or eliminated from the environment. Lastly, the patient should make use of products that help to make everyday activities easier to perform.

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Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the cartilage, which is the protective shock absorber that separates bones and keeps them from rubbing together. Once this protective substance is destroyed, the bones will grind on each other and lead to joint injury. Although the exact cause of Osteoarthritis is not known, it is usually blamed on genetics, old age, or the result of an injury to the joint.

Osteoarthritis is not like Rheumatoid Arthritis in that it does not affect the body symmetrically. There are three main areas of the body that are usually affected by this type of arthritis. They are the fingers, hip and knees, and spine. Symptoms begin with an occasional aching in the joint that lasts only a few minutes. Gradually as more cartilage is worn away, the pain increases and becomes continuous. There is usually limitation of joint movement and localized tenderness when the joint is touched. The joint feels warm and there may be considerable swelling. Lumps on the bone called osteophytes may develop and begin to pinch surrounding nerves causing severe pain. As the condition progresses, the joint becomes unable to be moved. Tendons become shortened and muscles go into spasm.

People diagnosed with Osteoarthritis need to take charge of their condition. They must live a proper lifestyle that includes the right kinds of exercise. Swimming and water related movement is very beneficial to the arthritis patient since exercising in water puts less strain on joints. Other aspects of their lifestyle must include eating the right foods, getting enough rest and eliminating such things as smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs. Doctors can prescribe medications that can help with the pain and joint inflammation. As with other types of arthritis, the patient can find many products on the market that are designed to help them accomplish everyday tasks. These simple aids can make a very big difference in the quality of their lives.

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