Arthritis Care

Best Arthritis Care Treatment & Diagnostics in Chembur, Mumbai

The inflammation of joints is called arthritis. It can cause swelling and tenderness to one joint or to multiple joints. The symptoms get enhanced with age. However, children are also reported to be vulnerable to arthritis. To know more about arthritis, you should search for general medicine hospitals near you. 

What do you need to know about arthritis care?

There are numerous types of arthritis but the most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Women can be more susceptible to arthritis than men, it is believed. Consult a general medicine doctor near you about the symptoms and the possible treatments.

What are the types of arthritis?

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Thumb arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Gout
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

• Swelling in the joints
• Pain
• Redness
• Stiff joint
• Restricted motion

What are the causes of arthritis?

• Infection in the joints
• Injury in the joints
• Older age
• Obesity
• Bone deformities
• Abnormal metabolism leading to gout
• Immune system dysfunction

When do you need to see a doctor?

If your joint pain is not cured for weeks or is recurring often or if you are not able to comfortably walk, sit or sleep, then you should consult a general medicine doctor near you.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Chembur, Mumbai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the risk factors of arthritis?

• Overweight or obese people are said to be more prone to arthritis
• Previous injury in the joints can lead to arthritis later in life
• If anyone in your family had arthritis, there is a chance that you can also have arthritis

How can you prevent arthritis?

• Weight loss
• Consume healthy food rich in calcium and minerals
• Prevent injuries
• Exercise daily to improve flexibility
• Yoga/swimming
• Avoid overexertion

How is arthritis diagnosed?

When you visit a general medicine doctor near you, the doctor will ask you a few questions about your symptoms. He/she will ask you to take some physical exams, laboratory tests and imaging tests.

Laboratory tests

• Blood test 
• Urine test 
• Joint fluid inspection by drawing your joint fluid through an injection 

Imaging tests

• X-rays to see through the skin and examine any cartilage, ligament or tendon and bone damage. Although the arthritis condition cannot be reported only with an x-ray, the progression can be seen.
• Computerised tomography or CT scan is a better upgrade to x-rays that can ensure a better picture of the bones and tissues, giving a cross-sectional view of the focused area. 
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI which uses radio waves combined with magnetic resonance is another way of diagnosing arthritis because it gives a detailed cross-sectional view of the tendons, bones and cartilages. 
• Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to diagnose the area of concern and also recognizes needle placement for joint aspiration and injection.

How is arthritis treated?

1. Medications
   • Painkillers only help in relieving pain and no other symptoms
   • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work on pain and inflammation
   • Counter-irritants help in slowing down pain signals from the aching joints
   • Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs work to relieve symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis
   • Biological response modifiers deal with immune system dysfunction causing arthritis
2. Therapy
   • Exercises to improve restricted motion
   • Splints or braces to assist movement
   • Yoga to prevent wear and tear 
   • Hot/cold packs on the point of pain
3. Surgery
   • Joint repair
   • Joint replacement
   • Joint fusion

Conclusion

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints caused by the wear and tear of the bones. The pain in this case is usually recurring or suddenly shoots up while walking or moving. Arthritis is common among older adults but children with arthritis have also been reported. Some of the causes of arthritis can be obesity, bone injury, family history and exertion. Arthritis can be prevented by losing weight, exercising, preventing injuries and consuming healthy food. It can be treated with physical therapies, surgery and medications, but first consult a general medicine doctor near you.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777

https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis