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Many types of arthritis ailments can be managed

Tahlequah Daily Press - 5/11/2018

May 11--Many people suffer from it, especially as they get older, and depending on the type and application of therapy, it can become debilitating.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and the Arthritis Foundation estimates that 50 million U.S. adults deal with the more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that comprise arthritis.

"Joint pain is the most common symptom of arthritis, but there are various subtypes," said Scott Williams, D.O., a family practitioner at the NeoHealth Tahlequah Health Center. "If you are having unexplained joint pain, there are so many different possible causes. You should visit with your physician to determine the cause."

If arthritis is the diagnosis, a doctor can suggest therapies and treatments.

"It depends on the arthritis," Williams said. "A lot of research is being done on rheumatoid arthritis, so there are some developments in that field. With many types of arthritis, it is important to stay active and healthy. There is physical therapy, and a doctor can prescribe [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], but they need to speak with their physicians because there are risks associated with those. If the pain is severe, patients might follow up with orthopedics.

The two most common manifestations are osteoarthritis, a chronic joint disease of the hands, hips knees and spine; and rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease attacking the joints. An additional 300,000 children under the age of 16 are afflicted with juvenile arthritis, which causes stubborn joint pain and can result in growth problems and eye inflammation.

Greg McCann, health education supervisor of the northeast region for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said county health departments do not offer treatments or pain relievers for arthritis, but sometimes offer support programs. They can always refer people with arthritis to appropriate doctors.

McCann said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arthritis Foundation recommend efforts to stay active without overworking or causing inflammation to the joints.

"There are many medical conditions that can be challenging to live with," McCann said. "However, that doesn't mean it is the end of a good quality of life. You can live with many arthritis conditions and still have a high quality of life with the right management practices."

Heather Winn, family and consumer sciences educator for Oklahoma State University'sCherokee County Cooperative Extension Service office, is certified to teach exercise to arthritis sufferers.

"If several people call in, we can offer classes if people are interested," Winn said. "They can contact our office [918-456-6163]."

It may seem paradoxical that regular use of painful joints can reduce discomfort, but doctors base that recommendation on research. If beginning a regimen, consult a physician and start slow. Winn said it is important for people to understand the limits of their joints -- where further exercise would cause inflammation.

"They need to be aware of their pain levels," Winn said. "If there is a sudden weather change where it gets cold or wet, or when joints are already inflamed -- those might not be the best times to exercise. We tell people to moderate activity. Not exercising can be bad, but also exercising too much. Don't do anything that hurts. When you start exercising, you may be sore the next day. It is OK to be a little sore, but if the soreness continues, you may need to exercise a bit less. It is also important to wear good shoes."

All types of arthritis affect the joints. Osteoarthritis occurs most often in adults older than 60, but other forms of arthritis can begin with infancy, and some forms are "systemic," meaning they can affect the entire body and impact organs, blood vessels and even skin. Some of these diseases are psoriatic arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia.

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory kind of arthritis associated with the chronic skin condition. Psoriatic arthritis usually develops when people are between 30 and 50, but can begin in childhood. Men and women seem to be at equal risk.

Lupus causes the body's immune system to attack its own cells and tissues. The joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and other organs of the body can be affected. There are five varieties of lupus, and the disease is ten times more common in women than men.

Fibromyalgia is an arthritis-related syndrome that can be difficult to diagnose. It is chronic, characterized by body aches, extensive pain, insomnia, acute fatigue, depression, anxiety and other symptoms, in combination with tenderness in specific areas of the body.

According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people diagnosed with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have arthritis, and the inactivity caused by arthritis hinders the successful management of both diseases.

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(c)2018 the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.)

Visit the Tahlequah Daily Press (Tahlequah, Okla.) at www.tahlequahdailypress.com

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