Many people suffer from arthritis on a daily basis and hope for permanent relief but, unfortunately, there are no permanent cures for arthritis.
The most one can hope for is to manage the symptoms so they do not interfere with everyday life.
Once you have your arthritis under control, you will be able to do almost anything you desire.
The first thing you have to understand is what the disease actually is and what causes it.
Only by knowing these two things can you determine the best treatment plan for your individual situation.
What is arthritis? Arthritis is a disease of the joints in the body.
The most common form of this disease is osteoarthritis.
This is frequently referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis and comes as we age.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which fatigue, joint stiffness and pain are the warning signs.
One may also feel like they have the flu.
Fibromyalgia is another form of arthritis which strikes in the muscles and soft tissue.
The symptoms with this disease range from chronic muscle pain, sleep problems, fatigue and painful tender spots in certain areas of the body.
What are the causes of arthritis? Again this will depend on which form you have.
Osteoarthritis is often the result of aging joints, obesity and previous injuries and may affect any joint.
A genetic component may be at play if you have rheumatoid arthritis although no specific cause has been pinpointed.
No single cause has been determined for fibromyalgia, but doctors suspect a number of factors contribute.
Some that may be involved include genetics, physical or emotional trauma and infections.
As arthritis is a broad term for over 100 different diseases and there are no permanent cures for arthritis, it is essential that you work with your doctor to control the symptoms.
Disease management is dependent on which type you are suffering from.
For osteoarthritis, the most common treatment plan involves medication and exercise although this will depend on the joint affected.
As bones and joints may be destroyed in the progression of this disease, early diagnosis is essential.
Treatment will involve a combination of regular exercise, medication and occupational or physical therapy.
Surgery may also be necessary.
To manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia, most doctors recommend medication, stress management and lifestyle changes.