Joint Pain
03/12/2013 12:19
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, preventing 50 million adults from having an active lifestyle. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder, causing stiffness and pain in the joints. Osteoarthritis is caused by the growth of bone spurs and degeneration of cartilage in joints. Arthritis commonly occurs in adults over 45. Women develop arthritis more often than men. Based on data gathered by the NHIS, by the year 2030, a projected 67 million adults over the age of 18 will have diagnosed arthritis. Of those 67 million, about 25 million will report a limitation in activity due to arthritis. The most common symptoms of arthritis are tenderness to the touch, swelling or inflammation of the area, a bruised feeling, and/or restriction in movement. All of the symptoms may have several causes. A physical exam, medical history, X-rays, MRIs, bone scans, and urine tests help a doctor diagnose the problem. Another cause of joint pain is bursitis, or inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions bony prominences. These sacs allow muscles and tendons to move freely over the bone. Treatment for bursitis may involve surgery to open the affected joint and drain infected fluid. The most pain common treatments doctors prescribe in the U.S. are non-steroidal anti-inflammatorys (NSAIDS). These quickly relieve pain by reducing swelling and are also analgesic treatments. A common side effect is stomach irritation after use over a couple of days. After extended periods of use, they may cause ulcers, bleeding in the stomach, as well as other gastrointestinal problems. Other drugs commonly used to treat joint pain are corticosteroids. They are administered either orally or by injection directly into the inflamed joints. These drugs can cause lasting and significant side effects. With long-term use, collagen production is affected, which can speed up joint decay. Corticosteroids can also cause dermatitis and acne on the skin, and lead to vast changes in the nervous system.
By:
Cm_a The Contentlab
https://contentlab.webnode.com/
Bookstore: