Arthritis is often confused with arthrosis. But arthrosis is associated with age-related changes in sutuvas. While inflammatory diseases of the joints - arthritis and polyarthritis - can manifest themselves at any age. The main thing is not to miss the first signs of the disease.
Arthritis of the joints - a description of the disease
Arthritis has several varieties. The most common doctors consider rheumatoid arthritis (they are sick about 1% of the total population of the Earth). What exactly provokes arthritis, is still not known. In the first place is a genetic predisposition: joint pain is a family illness.
In addition, the cause may be a transferred infection, metabolic disorders, severe stress or hypothermia. Recent studies have also shown that in urban conditions arthritis is sicker than the bowl and it is heavier. At the same time, women among the sick are three times more than men. And the average age of the disease is 30-55 years.
How to diagnose ...
If arthritis is not treated, then in time there is a risk of completely losing the ability to move. The disease gradually progresses and at the same time affects the work of other internal organs, in particular, the cardiovascular system. (That's why the doctors of this profile are called cardiologists-rheumatologists.) The diagnosis should be made by a doctor. In addition to visual examination of the joints, a blood test is performed, which, as a rule, shows an excess of the norm of the C-reactive protein - this figure "rolls over" in 80% of patients with arthritis. Then an x-ray is prescribed. But in the early stages, the X-ray does not provide detailed information. Only if the disease has developed for a long time, the picture shows erosion of the joints.
... and treat
There is no universal remedy for this disease, therefore, therapy is always prescribed individually and consists of a whole range of methods and medicines. First of all, these are painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, indomethacin, ibuprofen, orthophene, voltaren, diclofenac). But all these medicines can not be taken for a long time and without consulting a specialist, otherwise serious side effects, in particular, acute gastritis, can arise. That is why doctors prescribe "pulse therapy" - taking medication for 5-7 days with large interruptions. In addition, prescribe drugs that repair cartilaginous tissue (chondra, arthra, struktum) based on natural polysaccharides. They need to take a course for 6 months. Also, patients are shown physiotherapeutic procedures: ultrasound, electrophoresis and electromagnetic waves, therapeutic exercises and massage. But in the period of exacerbation of arthritis exercise should be limited.
Prevention
BE THE STARTING. If you have a genetic predisposition to joint arthritis, as well as during the remission of the disease, pay attention to what you eat and how you move.
DO SPORT. In diseases of the joints it is harmful to jump and run. But nevertheless other types of fitness will only benefit. Especially useful is swimming, because the water significantly reduces the load on the joints. You can also do yoga and pilates. The main thing is to learn how to observe the breathing rules and distribute loads.
RIGHT TO MOVE. The diagnosis of "arthritis" somewhat changes the usual geometry of movements. For example, instead of bending over, it's better to sit with a straight back. Do not also lift the jerk of gravity and carry heavy items in your hands, you must at least distribute the weight on both hands. Instead of narrow shoes with high heels, it is better to wear comfortable shoes on a small platform.
OBSERVE THE DIET. In severe forms of arthritis, especially with regard to so-called gouty arthritis (or gout), the doctor prescribes therapeutic nutrition (in particular, alcohol, red meat, peas, liver, kidneys and other foods containing purines that provoke gout attacks are excluded). In all other cases, it makes sense for patients to follow a diet, namely, there is less sugar and fats, both animal and vegetable. It is better to give preference to fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals and cereals, and protein foods (meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products) should be chosen as low-fat as possible. Indian doctors are sure: in order to maintain joints in working condition, you need to eat two or three cloves of raw garlic a day. However, abuse of garlic is harmful: in large quantities it causes palpitations and pain in the stomach.
Cause for concern
The first symptoms of arthritis make themselves felt in the morning. If you notice unpleasant sensations, go to the doctor-arthrologist, rheumatologist or physiotherapist. Here is a description of the main symptoms that should alert:
1) swelling of the joints in hands in the morning. They become painful and slightly reddish;
2) immediately after awakening, the sensation is as if fingers are tightened with a tight glove, then it disappears;
3) the temperature rises slightly;
4) over time, the disease affects other joints - elbows, knees, symmetrically, right and left;
5) the symptoms are more pronounced when the temperature drops, the weather changes or the climate changes sharply;
6) from time to time the pain may subside for a few days or months; this is called remission, but then again there is an exacerbation.
Grandmother's methods
Folk remedies can not replace prescribed medications and procedures, but nevertheless facilitate the course of the disease and serve as a preventive measure.
Baths with essential oil of tea tree (as well as chamomile, lavender and marjoram) relieve pain syndrome, and essential oils of rosemary, pine and ginger improve the mobility of joints (8-10 drops per bath). A cold compress of clay with a few drops of the same tea tree oil reduces the inflammation of the joints. An analgesic effect is the root of ginger. Dry powder of ginger needs to rub the sick joints, and then wrap them. And its fresh, crushed root can be eaten simply with ordinary dishes or cooked from it "tea." Recipe:
1 hour, a scoop of crushed root is poured
2 glasses of water, boil for 40 minutes, filter, add sugar or honey. They drink after eating.
OPINION EXPERT:
Antonina MOROZOVA, physician-therapist
Sometimes arthritis joints (a description of this disease you already know) patients are prescribed mud baths and balneological procedures. Someone really helps them, but in each case the doctor must proceed from the general state of health. Unfortunately, it happens that patients return from the sanatorium with a serious exacerbation, not only arthritis, but also other chronic diseases. Great hopes are now placed on new, so-called biological drugs - they act quickly and effectively reduce inflammation. This group includes: ethanercept (enbrel), infliximab (remicade), and adalimumab (humidor). Usually they are used in combination with other basic preparations. But all these drugs are expensive, can be administered only in the injectable form (subcutaneously or intravenously), so they have not yet received wide practical application.
Among the anesthetics, a new group, the Coxibs, also appeared. In Russia, only one drug, tsellebex, is currently sold. It practically does not irritate the stomach and does not cause an exacerbation of atherosclerosis, hypertension or heart failure, as well as kidney and liver diseases. Scientists continue to develop new drugs, so, most likely, in the near future, rheumatoid arthritis can almost completely stop and even reverse the process.