Joint pain can be caused by any number of things. It can be the result of an injury or overuse of the joint. If your joint pain is caused by arthritis, you will need to begin your search for an effective way to treat it. But, in order to do that, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis. All forms of arthritis share the common symptoms of severe pain, loss of range of motion, and a diminished quality of life. What you will find is that this painful, life altering condition can be found in any individual at any time of their lives. But, there are joint pain treatments that can be effective.
The first thing to do when you have joint pain is to go to a doctor. Symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joints and other factors as mentioned above. If your pain is accompanied with fever, the advice of a doctor is urgent because this specific type of arthritis can be deadly. Arthritis can be brought on by any number of things including overuse of the joint, sports, injury, and degeneration of the joints through time. In any case, it is important to relay to your doctor when it was first noticed, any related injuries you may have had, and what types of activities you perform on a regular basis. Your doctor will determine if the pain is arthritis through x-rays and blood tests. Once the doctor knows which type you have, treatments can begin.
For instance, the joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a function of the immune system destroying the cartilage in the joints affected. Cartilage is what keeps the bones from grinding against each other. As your immune system eats away at your joint cartilage, pain is brought on by the formation of nerve endings in the affected area. Eventually, the pain is so sever that mobility in those joints is virtually impossible.
But, again, there are treatments that can help or reverse the damage and pain. Your doctor can lead your treatment and some things you might expect could include surgery, pain medication, physical therapy, and even loss of use of the joint. But, there are other forms of medication as well. In fact, one of the most beneficial medications is a simple natural food supplement that is not even medicine at all. It is a natural treatment that is called collagen type II. When taken, this product can stop the pain by stopping the immune system's battle against your joints. It can then help to repair damage. In some cases, patients saw results within days, in others it took up to a few months. There are no known side effects of this treatment.
No matter what your joint pain is caused from or how you will treat it, the most important thing to remember is that you can find treatment. You can find it in a number of ways, which gives everyone a solution to try. Joint pain can effectively change and ruin your life if you let it. Or, you can fight back and regain your body's well being.
Thumb arthritis usually occurs after the age of forty and is more common in women than in men. The first symptom of thumb arthritis is usually pain experienced at the base of the thumb when gripping an object or when applying force - say to turn a key or open the lid of a jar. This form of osteoarthritis can make these simple household tasks difficult as it limits the strength and range of motion of the thumb.
Other symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of the thumb, decreased strength when grasping objects, enlarged appearance or a 'bony' look to the base of the thumb and general discomfort and aching after use.
The exact cause of this condition is unknown (in common with osteoarthritis generally) but the following factors are thought to contribute to its development:
Being female Having a job that puts high stress on the thumb joint Having certain hereditary conditions - joint ligament laxity, defective cartilage etc. Having past injuries such as fractures or sprains to the basal thumb joint Being over forty years of age Having existing rheumatoid arthritis
The basal thumb joint allows your thumb its wide range of movement and consists of the trapezium (the small bone at the base of your thumb), the first metacarpal (the thumb's first bone) and the wrist's scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal joint (STT).
In a normal basal joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bone, acting as a cushion to let the bones glide smoothly over each other. In thumb arthritis, the cartilage deteriorates allowing the bone ends to rub and roughen - the main cause of pain.
Your body's attempts to repair the damage may lead to new bone growth (spurs), which are noticeable on the joint. Each of the repair steps also produces the pain commonly associated with this condition.
Although there is no cure for thumb arthritis, self-care measures do exist. These include specialised splints, prescribed medication or corticosteroid injections. In extreme cases surgery may be the only way to gain a measure of relief.
It would seem then that there is no real remedy for thumb arthritis, any more than other general arthritic conditions, but that early diagnosis and treatment may serve to alleviate the worst symptoms of what can otherwise be a very debilitating condition. Changing lifestyle or work practices may help - any reduction of strain on the affected joint should bring some measure of relief. Too, adapting to the condition by using aids to mobility or dexterity can help, alleviating some of the frustration that is often felt by sufferers of arthritis and allowing the person affected to retain as much independence as possible. Exercise (as opposed to stressing) of the joint can also help to retain its range of motion.
As with all medical issues, it is essential that you consult your doctor if you suspect the onset of any form of arthritis.
Both Floyd Bogart & Steve Dempster are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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