Arthritis. See a Doctor About Joint Aches if...
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Arthritis. See a Doctor About Joint Aches if...
See a Doctor About Joint Aches if...
- Pain interferes with your everyday activities.
- Symptoms do not improve with two weeks of treatment with OTC medications.
- You have a sudden onset of new symptoms or joints become red, swollen, or warm.
- Your pain is accompanied by a fever of 100 degrees or more.
Lifestyle RX for Arthritis Pain
- Rest sore joints whenever you feel pain.
- Soak in a warm bath to relieve morning stiffness.
- Apply cold packs to swollen joints for 10 to 15 minutes to numb sore areas and reduce swelling.
- Apply heat via heat lamp, hot-water bottle, heating pad, or moist steam pack to help relax the muscle tension created by sore and rigid joints.
- Massage the skin over joints to reduce any discomfort.
- Do gentle stretching exercises twice daily to work a painful joint through its entire range of motion.
- Avoid using excessively soft chairs, mattresses, and car seats.
- Keep your weight down to minimize stress on your joints.
- Contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter and enroll in an arthritis self-management program.
Possible Drug Interactions
Drugs or foods that may interact with, decrease, or increase the effects of the medication you're taking: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may interact with some antipsychotic drugs, antiseizure medications, beta blockers, blood thinners, high blood pressure drugs, and other NSAIDs. Avoid salicylate-containing products if you are also taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Test Your Arthritis IQ
If you think an answer is mostly true, circle T. If you think the answer is mostly false, circle F. Then, check the answer key below.
- 1. T F You can cure arthritis by taking medications.
2. T F Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men.
3. T F Some people who have osteo- arthritis have no symptoms.
4. T F Resting is one of the best ways to combat arthritis pain and stiffness.
5. T F Having osteoarthritis in one joint means all your joints will eventually be affected.
Answer Key
- 1. False. None of the forms of arthritis can be cured. In fact, most continue to progress slowly after symptoms develop.
2. False. Men and women are equally affected, but arthritis tends to develop at an earlier age in men.
3. True. In many people, OA causes no pain, stiffness, weakness or numbness and goes undetected until it is spotted by chance on an X-ray.
4. False. Although you might hesitate to move a painful joint, it is actually one of the best things you can do to keep it from becoming stiffer and more painful. The key is to do exercises that won't injure your joints, such as swimming and walking.
5. False. Getting OA in one joint doesn't mean it will spread to other joints. But the affected joint may continue to deteriorate.
For more information, contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Check the Yellow Pages for the number or call the foundation's national office at 1-800-283-7800.
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