Arthritis – giving up Arthritis is not an option: Apart from medications, adapting life style changes including regular exercise, stop smoking, eating healthy and maintaining an ideal weight are important.
Joint pains and back pain are a very common ailment people visit a doctor with. It becomes disabling if symptoms become chronic. Arthritis has a big impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide. It affects them physically, emotionally and socially as well. It is important to diagnose and treat it early before arthritis takes the upper hand. World arthritis day is observed on the 12th of October every year to spread awareness about arthritis.
Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain and stiffness. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is due to wear and tear of joints and commonly affects knees, hips and low back. The other type of arthritis is inflammatory arthritis, which comes under the purview of a rheumatologist. This group includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and many more. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect women more than men, more so in 30-60y age group. It is an autoimmune disease. Genetic, environmental factors and smoking all play a role. About 1 in 100 people are affected by rheumatoid arthritis in India.
The symptoms suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis include pain in multiple joints, especially hands, wrists, feet and knees lasting more than 4 to 6 weeks. There may be swelling in the joints and typically severe early morning joint stiffness. Fatigue and feverishness commonly accompany. Treatment should be initiated under the guidance of a rheumatologist as early as 6 to 8 weeks of symptom onset, to be able to get a good hold on the arthritis.
We get to hear very interesting stories from patients, as to how their lives changed
The outlook for people with rheumatoid arthritis is improving everyday with the advent of new and more effective medications. It is possible to lead a normal active life by taking regular medications and making necessary lifestyle changes. The key is to start treatment early and take it regularly.
Dr. Chethana D
Consultant-Rheumatology
Aster CMI Hospital, New Airport road
Sahakara Nagar
Bengaluru-560092
Ph: 080-43420100