Arthritis refers to a set of syndromes which directly involve the body’s joints and muscles. Joint pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints are indicators of the disease. An inflamed joint exhibits signs of redness, swelling, tenderness and may be warm when touched.
Encasing a majority of joints is the cartilage tissue, a protective shield of tough fibrous matter containing a slippery fluid for smoother movement. When arthritis attacks the joints, it can cause the cartilage to deteriorate, weakening and thinning it down. The resulting inflammation and swelling brings about throbbing pain at every movement.
Different indicators like pain, swelling, or difficulty of movement within the area of a joint for two weeks or more may necessitate a visit to your doctor. As there are many different symptoms of the disease, only a qualified medical practitioner can make the correct diagnosis. It is also important to determine the particular type of arthritis you are suffering from in order to proceed with appropriate treatment.
Insomnia, chronic tiredness, depression or muscle soreness may also be linked to arthritis, which symptoms may develop gradually or appear swiftly and unexpectedly. Some sufferers are unable to carry on with normal day to day activities at home and at work due to pain and stiffness in the joints, making movement difficult.
Most of the range of everyday motions including rising from bed in the mornings, slipping buttons into buttonholes, getting dressed, writing, stitching, walking, cooking, going up the stairs, getting up from a sitting position, and even coping with personal hygiene prove difficult due to the pain and stiffness of joints brought on by arthritis. Being unable to move in a normal manner upsets most people more than suffering the pain of throbbing joints.
Consulting a medical practitioner at the earliest time possible will allow you to start immediate medication and therapy to give pain relief and to safeguard your joints. Remedies like avoiding too much stress and anxiety, and by employing the use of protective apparatus to help with movement can assist you in dealing with the disease. It also helps to keep the weight off to take the strain off the hips and knees.
Arthritis management primarily seeks to maintain regularity of movement and help the sufferer cope with day to day tasks
The above information thankfully comes from the arthritiskneepain.co.uk at the following link.