Every arthritis is different with different treatment methods

Every arthritis is different with different treatment methods

A combination of diet, medication, and exercise can help in reducing inflammation and pain

New Delhi, 12th October 2017: As per statistics, arthritis affects about 15% of the Indian population, which is over 180 million people in the country.[1] Women are more prone to develop arthritis than men as evident in a recent survey, which showed high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (52.07%) and Rheumatoid Factor (13.08%) in women as compared to men.[2]

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint and can affect one or multiple joints. While arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65, it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults. There are several different types of arthritis, each with different causes and treatment methods. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two most common types of arthritis.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “OA is caused by the normal wear and tear of bones. This natural breakdown of cartilage tissue can be further exacerbated by an infection or injury to the joints. RA, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder, which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the body tissues. RA invades and destroys a joint and can eventually lead to the destruction of both bone and cartilage inside it. OA can be compared to rusting of a door joint and RA can be likened to termites affecting the joint. While OA, also called as green arthritis, may require only painkillers and rehabilitation exercises, the red inflammation arthritis called RA, if not treated early and aggressively, can end up causing serious deforming complications.”

The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis also decreases the range of motion and a person can also experience redness of the skin around the joint. Pain is worse in the morning in people with OA.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Treatment of arthritis revolves around reducing the amount of pain and preventing additional damage to the joints. Some people find relief with heating pads and ice packs while others can use mobility assistance devices such as canes or walkers, which can help in taking pressure off the sore joints. Doctors usually suggest a combination of treatment methods for best results, including medication and physical therapy.”

Here are some other things one should consider.
• The best exercises for osteoarthritis are brisk walking, aerobics, cycling, and swimming.
• One should not give painkillers in osteoarthritis for more than three months. It is always better to try methods which can omit painkillers. It is a myth that glucosamine helps. In acute arthritis, one can try cold fomentation and in chronic cases, hot fomentation.
• Weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of developing OA and reduce existing symptoms.
• It is important to consume a healthy diet for weight loss. A diet rich in lots of antioxidants, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, can help reduce inflammation. One must also avoid fried and processed items, dairy products, and high intake of meat.
________________________________________
(1) http://www.arthritis-india.com/
(2) As per survey conducted by a leading diagnostic chain

Early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory arthritis key

Early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory arthritis key New Delhi, 27th August, 2016: Inflammatory arthritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions that affect your immune system. This means that your body’s defense system starts attacking your own tissues instead of germs, viruses and other foreign substances, which can cause pain, stiffness and joint damage. They’re also known as autoimmune diseases. The three most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis and Psoriatic arthritis These conditions are also called systemic diseases because they can affect your whole body. They can happen at any age. There’s no cure for these diseases at the moment, but the outlook for those diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis is significantly better than it was 20–30 years ago. Effective treatment begins much earlier and new drugs are available, which means less joint damage, less need for surgery and fewer complications. Inflammatory arthritis isn’t the same as osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage in your joint wears away. Stressing on the need to raise awareness about the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis to encourage early diagnosis, the IMA and Heart Care Foundation of India organised a webcast for both doctors and the public. The expert faculty for the same consisted of Dr. Mrs Vishal Kaura Aggarwal, Visiting Consultant in Rheumatology department at BLK Super Speciality Hospital and Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, Saket New Delhi and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President HCFI & Honorary Secretary General IMA. Raising awareness Dr KK Aggarwal said, "Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. It is triggered by a faulty immune system (the body’s defense system) and affects the wrist and small joints of the hand, including the knuckles and the middle joints of the fingers. Early diagnosis and treatment can control joint pain and swelling, and lessen joint damage. A person suffering from RA can perform low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, and exercises to boost muscle strength. This will help improve overall health and reduce pressure on the joints”. The following points on Inflammatory Arthritis were discussed: 1. Do not ignore arthritis in children 2. Do not ignore Joint pain, stiffness, back pain, which worsen on rest & improves with exercise or movement 3. Do not ignore high ESR, Positive CRP or high platelet count 4. Inflammatory arthritis is an acute medical emergency 5. Skin, Joint & Kidney involvement suggests auto immune disease 6. Squeeze test: squeeze mid carpel or mid tarsal (Mid palm or mid foot) & if Painful suggest Inflammatory poly arthritis 7. Back pain, stiffness responsive to NSAID- pain killers suggest inflammatory arthritis 8. Dry eyes can be a sign of underline autoimmune disorder 9. Chikungunya can precipitate underlying joint disease 10. Do not ignore Reynaud’s phenomenon 11. High uric acid is a marker of metabolic syndrome or early kidney disease 12. Asymptomatic high uric acid (<10) needs no treatment 13. Gout is uncommon in women 14. Alternating buttock pains, heel pains, chest pains may be markers of inflammatory arthritis

Management of arthritis in Chikun Gunya

Management of arthritis in Chikun Gunya

Dr K K Aggarwal 1. The osteoarticular problems seen with Chikungunya fever usually subside in one to two weeks’ time. 2. In approximately 20% cases, they disappear after a gap of few weeks. 3. In less than 10% cases, they tend to persist for months. 4. In about 10 % cases, the swelling disappears; the pain subsides, but only to reappear with every other febrile illness for many months. 5. Each time the same joints get swollen, with mild effusion and symptoms persist for a week or two after subsidence of the fever. 6. Complement mediated damage and persistence of the virus in intra cellular sanctuaries have been implicated in occasional studies. 7. Destroyed metatarsal head has been observed in patients with persistent joint swelling. Management of osteoarticular manifestations follow the general guidelines given earlier. 8. Since an immunologic aetiology is suspected in chronic cases, a short course of steroids may be useful. 9. Care must be taken to monitor all adverse events and the drug should not be continued indefinitely to prevent adverse effects. 10. Even though NSAIDS produce symptomatic relief in majority of individuals, care should be taken to avoid renal, gastrointestinal, cardiac and bone marrow toxicity. 11. Cold compresses have been reported to lessen the joint symptoms. 12. Disability due to Chikungunya fever arthritis can be assessed and monitored using one of the standard scales. 13. Proper and timely physiotherapy will help patients with contractures and deformities. 14. Non weight bearing exercises may be suggested.; e. g. slowly touching the occiput (back of the head) with the palm, slow ankle exercises, pulley assisted exercises, milder forms of yoga etc. 15. Surgery may be indicated in severe and disabling contractures. 16. The management plan may be finalized in major hospitals, but the follow-up and long-term care must be done at a domiciliary or primary health centre level. 1. Occupational assistance after detailed disability assessment needs to be provided.


With inputs from Dr Rohini Handa