Preventing arthritis pain in Silver Spring, MD

Preventing and Treating Arthritis
Does your loved one in Silver Spring, MD struggle with the pain, swelling and loss of movement associated with arthritis? Instances of this ailment are on the rise, doubling from nearly 43 million Americans in 1998 to 46 million in 2006, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Though half those who suffer from arthritis don't think there's anything they can do about it, there's good news for those who offer home care for aging parents in Silver Spring, MD: there are many ways to ease short-term and long-term symptoms.

What is it?
There are more than 100 different diseases that are classified as arthritis. Although they often demonstrate similar symptoms -- pain and swelling around the joints -- each disease has unique causes. The most common kinds are:

Osteoarthritis: Also described as the wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease and degenerative arthritis, this type manifests in the joints that bear the most weight, such as the knees, hips, feet and spine. Osteoarthritis is caused by overuse of the joints from aging, obesity or sports. As a result of this overuse, the cartilage gradually breaks down. This leads to a deep, aching pain in the joint, stiffness in the joints in the morning or after resting, fatigue and swelling in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis: The body's immune system attacks the joints in this disease. It can cause limited movement, stiffness, swelling and fatigue. The disease can attack any joint of the body, and symptoms can build gradually over time or start suddenly. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning and ease as joints loosen throughout the day.

Gout: Gout is caused by a metabolic disorder in which uric acid crystalizes in the bloodstream and then collects in the joints, most commonly the big toe. This kind of arthritis comes on in sudden attacks.

Fibromyalgia: Instead of attacking the joints directly, fibromyalgia targets the muscles, ligaments, tendons and soft tissue. The weakening of these tissues leads to spots that are sensitive to pressure, deep muscle pain, fatigue, sleeplessness and depression. Symptoms come and go in cycles.

How can I prevent it?
Though there are many different kinds of arthritis, there are ways to keep joints strong to reduce your risk.

Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce wear and tear on the joints. Also, a vitamin or mineral supplement can reduce risk in some cases. Seniors should talk to their doctors to learn more about the best vitamin supplements for them. Regular exercise can also help to keep joints and muscles strong by increasing bone density. Smoking and alcohol can weaken bones, so cutting out these habits can also be beneficial.

How can I treat it?
There are medications available to treat arthritis, but each type of arthritis has a different cause, therefore different medications are required for each. Arthritis sufferers should talk to their doctor to find the right prescription for them. To learn about specific medications, take a look through Arthritis Today’s Drug Guide.

There are alternative ways to alleviate pain, short-term and long-term. The Arthritis Foundation encourages seniors to consider pain as an alert to take action, not simply something they have to accept as inevitable.

Applying heat or cold to an aching or stiff joint can ease symptoms. Cold will numb the area and reduce swelling, while heat can relax the muscles and improve circulation.

Massaging the joint can also be effective alleviating pain and increasing the range of motion in the joint. But be prepared to stop the massage if it causes additional pain. And make sure that your masseuse has experience working on arthritic pains.

Stretching can improve flexibility and range of motion, keeping the joints healthy and lubricated. This can especially ease the morning stiffness many arthritis sufferers experience.

Therapy can also be a good option if arthritis affects a person's daily life. Physical therapy can help improve strength and range of motion, as well as provide ways to manage pain more effectively without resorting to medications. Occupational therapy can help address treatment techniques, education for better living and increasing the independence of arthritis sufferers.

For those with extreme symptoms, surgery is an option, but this is only for those for whom other treatments and medications have little or no impact. Surgery options for arthritis include arthroscopy, in which a surgeon repairs the joint, and synovectomy, in which a diseased lining in the joint is removed. Joint replacement is another surgical procedure available. This procedure completely removes the joint and replaces it with an artificial one.

What can Right at Home of Silver Spring do to help?
It can be hard to watch an aging parent suffer from arthritis pains. But no matter the type of arthritis, a Right at Home caregiver can help combat your loved one’s arthritis, and keep your loved one living a full life in their own home.

Right at Home of Silver Spring, MD offers many homecare services to make daily life easier for seniors with arthritis. These services focus on eliminating some of the day-to-day tasks that can become difficult for seniors as arthritis becomes an issue, from household chores, like meal preparation and light housekeeping, to errands and recreational activities. When there’s help for the small tasks that make life with arthritis difficult, arthritis sufferers can stop worrying and get back to living.