Arthritis is a debilitating disease that strikes one out of seven people in the U.S.; 37 million people, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Arthritis affects children, adults, seniors, women and men, and comes in many different forms. The most common type, according to NLM, is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is most common in older people, and is caused by wear and tear on the joints as they age.
Causes of Arthritis Pain
Arthritis pain occurs when the joints become irritated and inflamed, most often because the cartilage inside the joint breaks down and allows bones to grind against each other, according to NLM. An autoimmune disease may cause arthritis pain (as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis), or a break or other injury to a bone can cause the pain. Repetitive use of a particular joint and obesity can also lead to arthritis pain. General overuse can cause cartilage to break down in the joints and lead to arthritis. Finally, a viral or bacterial infection can lead to joint inflammation and arthritis pain, notes the NLM.
What Arthritis Pain Feels Like
The characteristic signs of arthritis pain include significant stiffness in the joint and difficulty moving it with a full range of motion. Swelling, heat and redness in the joints often accompany joint pain. Arthritis can leave your muscles feeling weak, and even sore to the touch, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Arthritis pain will occur when you move the joint or apply pressure to it.
Medications to Treat Arthritis Pain
There are many over-the-counter medications to help manage arthritis pain. Anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin can effectively treat arthritis inflammation, says the AAOS, while acetaminophen can help soothe pain.
Cortisone injections in the joint, administered by a doctor, can also help alleviate inflammation, swelling and arthritis pain, according to the AAOS.
Exercise to Treat Arthritis Pain
Physical therapy and regular exercise can help alleviate inflammation in the joints, thereby reducing arthritis pain, says the NLM. Of course, to prevent doing further damage to the joints it's important to work with a physical therapist on the right exercises. Exercises that improve muscle tone and flexibility can be most helpful for arthritis pain, and aerobic exercise that doesn't jostle the joints (like walking, swimming or biking) can help treat arthritis.
Alternative Arthritis Pain Treatment
Using braces, splints and other devices is common to help relieve arthritis symptoms. Hot and cold therapy---heat and cold applied to swollen, painful joints---can effectively manage arthritis symptoms, says the NLM. Other therapies to consider include a topical pain-relieving cream for the joints and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. A healthy diet stocked with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins can also have an impact on inflammation.
Living With Arthritis Pain
For the most serious cases of arthritis pain, the NLM says that surgery may be necessary to reconstruct or replace a painful joint. There are a number of different treatments and therapies available to help manage arthritis pain, so work with your doctor to try different options until your arthritis pain is under control.
