Hearing that your child has arthritis can be a shock for some, but accepting that some types of arthritis are more common among women than men is even more shocking. Arthritis can strike at any age and is a common condition that affects people from all walks of life, including children.
Millions of young people are being diagnosed today with arthritis. The question a lot of us tend to ask ‘is this normal’? And the answer is most certainly yes. With more than 100 joints in the body, the chances of inflammation of one or more joints that affect the musculoskeletal system is high.
Spotlight on the different types of arthritis
With age come stiff muscles and sore joints that don’t move quite as well as they once did. Most of the time these symptoms are all part of getting older — but some symptoms can point us to the direction of seeking medical advice.
There are many different types of arthritis that cause a wide range of symptoms that vary depending on the type of arthritis you may have. Common arthritic symptoms include pain around the joints. Other signs and symptoms depending on the type of arthritis include stiffness, inflammation, swelling and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures. This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that make it difficult to perform the daily tasks most people take for granted such as walking, driving a car and even cooking food. It is therefore important if you do have arthritis, to take good care of yourself, to relieve pain and improve function.
Arthritis can be categorised under inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The location, timing, and pattern of joint pain, as well as the presence of swelling and symptoms outside the joint (such as rash), can help to distinguish between inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis.
Early diagnosis: What am I waiting for?
We all have the tendency to downplay common symptoms as “just normal aches and pains” as they become part of our daily routine. This approach can have a reverse effect at times, if we don’t stop to listen to what our body is telling us.
Early diagnosis of arthritis is the first step towards successful treatment. The process of diagnosing arthritis itself involves several steps:
Step 1: A medical and physical examination is conducted by a Rheumatologist to determine functional ability and loss of motion
Step 2: Blood tests and X-rays are then conducted to confirm diagnosis, helping distinguish the type of arthritis present
Step 3: While X-rays provide detailed pictures of bones, other imaging tests, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT scan) can also be conducted to provide images of the tissues inside and surrounding the joints
Treatment options for good living
There are many treatment options available for people living with arthritis. Some people living with a certain type of arthritis respond well to treatment and without any lingering effects, but other types of arthritis are more difficult to control and can be quiet disabling. The causes are age-related wear and tear, infections, autoimmune conditions, injuries, and others. The good news is that there are plenty of steps that you can take to keep arthritis at bay or minimize aches and pain you may already be feeling.
Below are a few tips for good living, with strategies and therapies that can help you conserve energy, protect your joints, accomplish daily tasks more easily, and adapt to lifestyle disruptions.
1. Consume a healthy and well-balanced diet to prevent heart disease has a direct link to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
2. Try as much possible to live a stress free life
3. Exercise, exercise and exercise
When to seek help?
Any medication or treatment for arthritis must be discussed with and monitored by your doctor or rheumatologist. It is important to know when to seek medical advice when:
a) Your joints are inflamed or swollen
b) You experience excruciating pain that keeps you up at night
c) Early morning stiffness as soon as you wake up
d) Joint or muscle pain that prevents you from walking
e) Fevers, weight loss or rashes
Don’t miss it
Ahead of World Arthritis Day on October 12, the Middle East Arthritis Foundation is organising an event in Dubai on Friday to raise awareness about the condition.
The event is open to families, friends and carers of people living with arthritis. The event will feature several fitness and yoga sessions, including a session on herbal treatments. Attendees can meet other people with similar conditions and learn about the different treatments available to them.
What: It’s in Your Hands, Take Action
When: October 9, 10am to 6pm
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai
What to expect: Fitness sessions and symposiums throughout the day, free checkups for osteoporosis and arthritis from 2pm to 6pm. Entrance is free
Dr. Humeira Badsha is a Dubai-based specialist doctor on arthritis and is a founding member of the Middle East Arthritis Foundation
