ARTHRITIS – Something can be done

This year Arthritis Week again focuses on how to manage the symptoms of arthritis with the least possible disruption to normal life.

There is no doubt arthritis is one of the most misunderstood of all the common chronic medical conditions. Perhaps that’s because there are so many different forms of arthritis – well over a hundred in fact, and for every form of arthritis there are probably a dozen tall tales relating to the causes and supposed cures.

However, accurate and up-to-date information on arthritis is now available in the form of the recently revised ArthritisFact Card. It’s part of the Self Care health information provided by many pharmacies throughout Australia.

The word "arthritis" literally means joint inflammation; although in one of the two most common forms of arthritis – osteoarthritis – there may be little or no inflammation.

Osteoarthritis (OA) involves the breakdown of the protective cushion of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones where they meet to form a joint. It usually occurs later in life, particularly in people who have injured or put extra strain on their joints, but can happen to anyone. Injury and overuse are two of the factors that contribute to OA, but it’s possible that we might also inherit the tendency to suffer with OA.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the next most common form of arthritis. RA is a disorder of the immune system that results in destruction of cartilage around the joints. The continued inflammation also changes bone structure and causes joint deformity.

With RA, the smaller joints (hands, feet and ankles) are usually affected first. They become hot, red, painful and swollen. But there are other symptoms as well such as generalised weakness, fatigue and fever.

Both these major forms of arthritis can often be managed effectively with a combination of treatments. They include exercise, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Diet appears to play no major role in the cause or treatment of osteo or rheumatoid arthritis; however, there is no doubt if you’re overweight, with the extra load on your joints, your symptoms will be worse.

Paracetamol (Panamax or Panadol) is the medicine of first choice for the control of pain associated with OA; but regular dosing of 2 tablets three or four times a day is necessary to gain most benefit – an occasional dose when the pain is severe is unlikely to have much effect.

Anti-inflammatory pain relievers (known as NSAIDS) can be used in OA if the pain is not sufficiently controlled with paracetamol, but they are considered to be of greater value in treating the symptoms of RA. Newer NSAIDS (such as celecoxib and rofecoxib), less likely to cause stomach irritation, are now available as subsidised pharmaceutical benefit prescriptions. Check with your doctor to find out if they are suitable for you.

There has also been interest lately in nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and evening primrose oil. Anti-inflammatory rubs, such asMetsal, Difflam, Votaren and Feldene, may help with the pain of OA.