Arthritis Patients Can you imagine walking on nails? That is what some forms of arthritis equate to. There are many forms of arthritis, and it does not always affect only the elderly. Types of Arthritis There are actually more than 100 types of arthritis, some of the more common ones areOsteoarthritis is present in elderly patients; however, obesity raises the risk to being affected at an earlier age. The cartilage inside joints begins to wear down, because nothing good lasts forever, right? When this occurs the bones of the joint rub against one another, causing pain. The pain level varies, and often results in joint replacement surgery. Rheumatoid Arthritis This form of arthritis often strikes younger people, as the body's immune system attacks its own cells. The lining of the joint is generally what is affected, and over time the breakdown becomes beyond repair. Psoriatic Arthritis This form of arthritis can be visible on the skin surface. The autoimmune system attacks the body and the tissue, tendons and ligaments can become affected. It then becomes psoriasis on the surface of the skin. This is generally a bad case of psoriasis, and may need treatment by a dermatologist as well as an orthopedic physician. Related: Common Intestinal Disorders All three forms of arthritis can create the need for joint replacement. As a nurse, if you have not worked with a patient after joint replacement, you will quickly learn that most have something in common: they do not want to walk. It's painful getting back up moving, but a vital part of recovery, and patients should be made aware of this. You may need to provide some motivation, as most physicians expect progress on the patient's mobility status. Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis, but quite different from other forms. It is suggested that in these cases the brain does not process pain well, and in return nerve endings can create a pain cycle for virtually no reason. It can also cause excessive tiredness, and an overall feeling of the flu. There are some new medications to treat this condition, however many opt for OTC
pain relievers. Patients that have this condition may have been met with resistance, as it is difficult to diagnose, and in the past patients were said to simply be over-reacting. Gout Gout is painful, but in most cases temporary. It generally affects one area, often a toe, and is caused by Uralic acid crystals. Gout used to be referred to as the rich man's disease, as it was suspected red meat and red wine contributed to it. That theory is now dissolved. Gout is usually treated with anti-inflammatory, pain medication, and ice to relieve swelling. It usually gets better within a week, however, seeing a doctor is advised to avoid the risk of an infection. Nurses that see patients with gout should be warned of one thing, do not squeeze or push on the affected area, it can be extremely sore. Related:
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Patients with arthritis in the lower portion of their body need to continue the one thing they usually are avoiding, walking. It's painful, so difficult. Suggesting a walker or cane may be of benefit, however, it is important to be mobile, joints and bones that stay at rest only get worse. Avoiding arthritis would be great, although it is estimated that by age 60 more than half the population has some form of it. Getting plenty of calcium and regular exercise is a step in helping to prevent the onset, or at least to minimize it. Arthritis is said to be inherited, so at times precautions and exercise to prevent it are unsuccessful. Patients should maintain a healthy weight, and enjoy exercise such as swimming, as it is much less intrusive on bones and joints. The Arthritis Foundation can be a great resource for patients. They offer group support meetings, nutritional advice, new medication information, and exercise groups such as swim aerobics. Encourage patients to take control of arthritis, and not let it control them. Staying mobile and healthy is the first step in the right direction. Related: List of nursing organizations Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter