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SEPTEMBER 17 | 2015 | DEFENDER
Defender Special Edition
JOINT PAIN: ABOUT ARTHRITIS By AMBER VERNON Defender
system attacks one’s own joints by mistake. It is characterized by stiff and possibly swollen joints, usually worse in the morning and relieved by f you have arthritis, you are one of 53 million Americans movement. Symptoms also include with the joint disease. According to the Arthritis numbness and swollen feet. Foundation, it is the number one cause of disability in the “There are some genetic risk factors country. involved, but the biggest risk is an Arthritis is the painful inflammation and stiffness of the environmental one derived from smoking joints, and there are more than 100 different types of arthritis which increases the risk of getting arthritis and related conditions. Though minorities have lower rates of by 20 times,” Johnston said. arthritis compared to whites, they experience greater severity of “Untreated, RA can cause major disability pain and more activity limitations than whites. as well as significantly increased risk of heart Rheumatologist Dr. Kirkwood Johnston of Kelseyattack and stroke. Fortunately there are effective Seybold Clinic said the cause of severity of arthritis and safe medications available these days such that among Blacks and Hispanics is unknown. severe complications are quite rare. Rheumatologists “It may be related to background genetics, are experts in using these medications, which would health care access, use of health care services, almost never be prescribed by a family doctor.” and willingness to report limitation and pain,” Fibromyalgia can cause fatigue, insomnia, muscle Johnston said. pain, and tenderness in places on the neck, shoulders, “The prevalence of risk factors for back, hips, arms and legs that hurt when touched. arthritis, such as obesity and physically “Fibromyalgia is better classified as a pain disorder demanding jobs, could also be a with whole-body sensitivity to pain, or a feeling of muscle/ factor. More research is needed.” bone pain without any actual painful stimulus,” Johnston Studies support the link to said. obesity and certain diseases. The “The main causes are lack of restorative sleep, due Arthritis Foundation says arthritis to sleep apnea, psychological disorders, other underlying can be found in 57 percent of diseases, thyroid disorders, and low vitamin D. Treatment is adults with heart disease, 52 percent geared toward the underlying causes and can include various of adults with diabetes, 44 percent medications, sleep therapy, and exercises/physical therapy.” of adults with high blood pressure and 36 Gout is caused by uric acid that builds up to form hard percent of adults who are obese. needle-shaped crystals that go to the joints. “The crystals The risk of arthritis increases with age. Almost half cause an intense inflammatory reaction involving severe of adults 65 years old or older have arthritis. pain, redness, and swelling of affected joint,” Johnston said. Johnston offered insight on the four most common types of “Family history, kidney dysfunction, and excess beer arthritis. consumption are big risk factors. Gout typically presents Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and as incredibly painful and swollen big toe joint occurring becomes more likely as people age. This disease occurs when all of a sudden, often in the early morning hours. cartilage breaks down and wears away, leaving bones to rub “Treatments involve joint injections and against each other. medications to control inflammation and decrease uric Symptoms include pain, stiffness or swelling in joints, and a acid in the body. Untreated, gout can cause bone and crunch feeling that sounds like bone rubbing against bone. joint destruction in addition to the repeated painful “It can be aggravated by family history and previous attacks,” he said. injuries,” Johnston said. “Treatments In order to maintain control over include various types of medication from arthritis, research shows exercise acetaminophen and ibuprofen to other pain “Treatments include various types of medication from and maintaining a healthy weight is pills, exercises and physical therapy, braces, needed to improve the function of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to other pain pills, medicated ointments, and joint replacement joints and decrease pain. At least two surgery.” exercises and physical therapy, braces, medicated and a half hours of physical activity Rheumatoid arthritis is an ointments, and joint replacement surgery.” each week is recommended to help inflammatory arthritis where the immune Dr. Kirkwood Johnston manage the disease.
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