SLIDESHOW
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Osteoarthritis (OA)
A joint is the place where two bones
meet. The end of each bone is covered in a layer of rubbery stuff called
cartilage. This keeps them from rubbing together. But cartilage can wear away
over time or after an injury. When it’s gone, the bones hit one another, and
sometimes, tiny pieces break off. The result is a stiff, swollen, painful
joint.
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Treating Osteoarthritis
Your first move might be to do fewer things
that bother the joint in question. Over-the-counter drugs can help with pain and
swelling. If they don’t, your doctor might inject stronger treatments directly
into problem areas. You can wrap joints to protect them and stop overuse, but
this could weaken your muscles, so don’t overdo it. Some people need surgery,
but it’s rare. Your doctor will discuss treatments with you.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Your immune system is supposed to protect you
from outside germs. Sometimes, it attacks the lining of your joints instead
(your doctor will call this the synovium). RA is most likely to affect your
wrist or finger joints, but it can show up anywhere in your body. It often
causes constant pain and stiffness. Sometimes, it stays in the background and
only flares up now and then.
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Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Doctors treat RA with medications that slow or
stop the disease process. You might hear yours call them DMARDs, which stands
for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The goal is for you to have no
signs of inflammation in your body. Your doctor will refer to this as this
remission. Along with drugs, you can also take care of yourself -- eat
well, rest when you need to but keep moving, and take good care of your joints.
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Another Type of Arthritis
OA and RA are the most well known, but other
types also affect your immune system and result in stiff joints:
·
Ankylosing spondylitis: This
type mostly affects your spine, but it can make your hips, hands, or feet feel
stiff.
·
Gout: The
first sign of this build-up of uric acid in your body is often a searing pain
in your big toe.
·
Infectious
arthritis: It often starts with an infection somewhere else in your body
that travels to one big joint, like your hip. Your doctor might call it septic
arthritis.
Psoriatic
arthritis: People with psoriasis or family members who have it are
most likely to get this type. Signs include swollen fingers and pitted nails.
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A Change in the Weather
Did your grandma say she knew when a storm was
coming because her joints ached? She was right. Doctors aren’t sure why, but
joint pain seems to get worse when the weather changes. It’s most common when
the air pressure (the weather forecaster will call it barometric pressure)
falls. That typically happens just before a storm.
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Fibromyalgia
This chronic condition causes joint and muscle
pain, along with sleep, mood, and memory problems. Scientists think your brain
takes normal pain signals and makes them worse. They aren’t sure what causes
it, but it often follows an illness, surgery, or intense stress. It doesn’t
damage your joints the way arthritis does, though.
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Treating Fibromyalgia
There’s no cure, but over-the-counter meds
should ease your pain. Your doctor might prescribe other medications. A
physical therapist can teach you special exercises to help. You might also
try a relaxation technique like deep breathing or a gentle exercise like yoga
or tai chi. They’ll help you stretch and strengthen your muscles and
tendons.
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Joint Injury
The two most common types are both forms of
inflammation. They usually result from overuse or misuse of a joint over time:
Bursitis involves
the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between your bones and other
moving parts.
Tendinitis affects
the tendons that attach your muscles to your bones.
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Treating a Joint Injury
These conditions are easy to treat. You’ll
likely make a full recovery. The first thing to do is give that joint a rest
and take an over-the-counter pain medication. Your doctor will probably give
you a splint to wear and tell you to put ice on it. She might show you some
exercises to do, too. If that doesn’t help, she could inject a stronger drug
straight into the bursa or tendon to manage pain and swelling.
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Exercise
The more you move your joints, the less likely
they are to get stiff. A little afternoon gardening or a walk around the block
can help. You’ll strengthen the muscles that support your joints, keep your
bones strong, improve your balance, and burn calories. Start slow, so you don’t
get hurt. Talk to your doctor first if even gentle exercise makes the stiffness
worse.
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Heat Therapy
If your joints are extra stiff in the morning,
try a hot shower or bath. It’ll get blood flowing to the area, which loosens
things up. You can also buy moist heat pads from the drugstore or make your
own. Toss a washcloth into a freezer bag and microwave it for 1 minute. Wrap it
in a towel and leave it on the area for 15-20 minutes.
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Cold Therapy
Ice down an achy joint. It narrows blood
vessels, which slows blood flow to the area and eases swelling. You can use a
store-bought cold pack, or try a bag of frozen veggies instead. Put it on the
area, but use a towel to protect your skin. Don’t do it for more than 20
minutes at a time. If you really want to chill a problem joint, try an ice
bath.
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See the Doctor Right Away If …
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You’re in extreme pain.
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You’ve been injured.
·
The joint looks deformed.
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You can’t use it.
·
It swells suddenly.
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Make a Doctor’s Appointment If …
·
Your joints are tender or hard to move.
·
The skin is red or warm to the touch.
·
Joint symptoms last more than 3 days or happen several times a
month.
This tool does not provide medical
advice. See additional information.
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