May  2017

As we move through spring and think about summer, many of us start to increase our activity. This leads some of us to become more aware of joints and muscles that we may have forgotten. It is a timely reminder that May is Arthritis Awareness Month.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. One in five adult suffer from arthritis. It is most common among women and frequently worsens with age. Additionally, arthritis impacts all patients with chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. Over 30% of adults who are obese have arthritis, 1/3 of adults with arthritis age 45 and older have either anxiety or depression. Finally, arthritis can be a major risk factor in falls.
There are many types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage or cushion between joints breaks down leading to symptoms of stiffness, swelling and pain. Stiffness may be most noticeable in the morning, swelling and pain can occur after extended activity. Symptoms can affect all major joints including hips, knees, back, hands and feet.
Treatment of arthritis focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function. Options include:

• Physical activity: Routine exercise, such as walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week, helps build muscle strength to reduce the burden on the joints and reduce pain. You can break this activity into multiple segments during the day, walk with others.
• Stretching: Slow, gentle stretching of joints may improve flexibility, lessen stiffness and reduce pain. Yoga and tai chi are great ways to manage stiffness.
• Weight management: Weight loss reduces the stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, feet and back. Reduce your intake of calories in addition to routine exercise.
• Physical and Occupational therapy: Therapists can provide treatment options for pain management including ways to properly use joints, heat and cold therapies, range of motion and flexibility exercises, and correct use of assistive devices.
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medications: Medications can include pills or creams such as analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or injections such as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid.
• Alternative or natural therapy: The use of some nutritional supplements, acupuncture or acupressure, massage, relaxation techniques and hydrotherapy may be helpful in improving arthritis symptoms.

Speak to you physician about concerns you may have about arthritis and enjoy your summer.

Please join us Friday, June 16 at 11:30 at the  University Club as Dr. Kathy Waite discusses bone health.
To register please call our office at 919-660-6746.