Tag: Arthritis Patients

Arthritis Patients: Do You Need Surgery?

If you have recently been diagnosed with arthritis or if you suspect you have it, thoughts of surgery may automatically pop into your head. Yes, some patients must undergo surgery, but it is actually very rare. Despite the common belief, it is possible to treat and manage the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint paint, swelling, and difficulty moving, without surgery.

When is surgery considered an option?

Unbearable Pain. When the pain is so severe that over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription pain relievers do not work, surgery may be the last resort. Overtime, our bodies get use to the pain relievers we ingest. Overtime the Tylenol that once provided with you with relief, may no longer do so. If and when that point arrives, speak to your doctor about prescribed medications. He or she will likely want to try those first before opting for surgery.

Joint damage. The elderly and those who let their arthritis go untreated are susceptible to joint damage. This includes deformities. For example, a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis may have bent out of shape fingers. This not only looks different, but it is excruciating in terms of pain. Surgery can be used to correct these deformities and other severe joint damage.

What type of procedures may be performed?

Arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgery and a great alternative to open surgery. A small incision is made in the skin. Then, a thin viewing instrument, known as an arthroscope is inserted. Its destination? The painful joint. Many surgeons use this procedure to diagnose a problem and decide on a course of treatment. It can also be used to perform small surgeries. It has many benefits, including less pain, lower costs, and less hospitalization. So, if you need surgery, offer an arthroscopy as a suggestion.

Arthrodesis. This surgery is very rare, as there is a high risk of complications. And, it results in a permanent disability. So, why is it even offered? It is the only hope of pain relief for some individuals. These individuals have a diseased joint that cannot be fixed any other way. Pain and swelling are common and unmanageable. Arthrodesis involves fusing two bones into a joint. This prevents joint movement. For many, this is a last and only resort.

Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgeries are common with the shoulders, knees, and hips. With joint replacement surgeries, the ends of nearby bones are replaced. This results in new joint surfaces. It will take time and physical therapy, but most patients experience a reduction and pain and an increase in mobility. For the fingers and toes, joint replacement is less common. Typically, surgeons opt for the fusion of smaller joints, as opposed to total replacement.

What are the alternatives to arthritis related surgery?

It depends. For starters, how severe is your arthritis? When were you diagnosed? The earlier osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat without surgery. Exercise is vital. Yes, it is difficult to move your joints, so exercise may seem like it is out of the question, but it is not. Start with low impact exercises or opt for water exercises or physical therapy. The more a joint is moved, the less stiffness you experience. This can later reduce the chance of deformities.

As for the pain, remember that surgery is only used as a last resort. First, try over-the-counter pain pills and cream or ask for stronger prescription medications. Heat also helps many. Soak in a warm bath daily or use a heating pad. Although there is little scientific proof to back these claims, many arthritis patients report long-term relief with continued use of natural remedies and supplements, including cayenne pepper, pineapples, ASU, and ginger.

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Arthritis Pain: Daily Tips to Gain Control

If you suffer from arthritis, you may not only experience joint pain and swelling, but difficulty functioning from day-to-day. Arthritis is not a walk in the park. Whether you are prone to spurts of pain or experience it all the time, going about a normal day may seem like an impossible task, but it doesnt have to be. What can you do?

Make it easy to get around your home. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, it is difficult to move. Walking from one room in your home to the next, may trigger pain. Make it as easy as possible to move around. Is your home an obstacle course with furniture in the way? Enlist the help of a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor. Rearrange your furniture to create a straight path. The less turns and steps you have to make, the better.

Make sure all needed items are within easy reach. Regardless of what joints hurt, it can be difficult to reach for and grip. So, dont. Do you find it too difficult to reach to the high shelf in your kitchen cupboard? If so, dont use it. Place all foods and dishes on lower shelves or utilize your countertop. Do you find it too difficult to grasp dresser drawer handles? Instead, use your closet to hang clothes. With one simple tug, many fall right off the hanger. Learning to prevent and manage the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis includes making your life at home easier.

Keep pain relievers handy. All arthritis patients suffer from pain. Depending on the type of arthritis, this pain may be constant or it may come and go. Either way, pain relievers are a lifesaver. They typically provide relief in as little as 15 minutes. Some over-the-counter arthritis creams provide pain relief as soon as contact is made with the skin. Since they do work, keep them on hand. Keep some pills and creams in your home, car, and purse. There are many ways to reduce the risk of arthritis pain, but there are no guarantees. Anything can trigger pain, so always be prepared.

Rely on walking aids. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, walking can be difficult and painful. With each step you take, pressure is applied to your already painful joints. What can you do is lessen the pressure with walking aids. These may include knee braces, crutches, or canes. Remember, the less pressure you apply to your joints, the less pain you should feel.

Ask for help. Arthritis patients experience times when they feel helpless. This is often when they cannot open a jar of spaghetti sauce, walk to the mailbox without experiencing pain, or lift a heavy box. It is very frustrating to be unable to handle daily tasks without pain. Yes, you are encouraged to try, but not it if will bring on pain. Although it can be hard, dont be afraid to ask for help. Ask your neighbor to deliver your mail to your home and save a heavy box until a family member can help you.

Keep a journal. One of the many problems arthritis patients face is difficulty managing their pain. Talking about the difficulties you face can help. For most, the worst thing to do is to keep these emotions bottled up in side. Are you mad that you are suffering from arthritis, get that anger out of you. Deal with ease issues or complication as they arise, dont keep things bottled up inside. When they do come out, it will be huge. It is best to talk to someone at home or join an arthritis support group. If you opt not to, keep a journal instead. Write down all feelings, including the good and the bad.

In short, there are many ways to treat and manage arthritis pain. Over-the-counter products are a lifesaver for many arthritis patients, but they are not you only option. The first step should be focusing on day-to-day tasks. When these seem easier and less painful, the rest will simply just fall into place.

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Seek Arthritis Relief with Apple Cider Vinegar

Do suffer from arthritis? Are you tired of the aches, pains, difficulty moving, and trouble sleeping? Your physician will recommend pain reliever and exercise. Yes, these do help, but you may want to try something new. If and when you reach that point, turn to apple cider vinegar. For many years, arthritis patients, just like you, have claimed it relieved their pain and discomfort.

As nice as it is to know that apple cider vinegar can give you arthritis relief, you may be looking for more information on this natural remedy. What type of apple cider vinegar? How much? Do I drink it? Continue reading on to find out.

The following are accounts gathered from the internet. These remedies have worked for some. The common ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Always proceed with caution with natural and home remedies. Never consume or apply anything to your skin that may cause an allergic reaction. Know that natural and home remedies vary. What works for one may not work for another. You should experiment, through trial and error, to develop the apple cider vinegar remedy that works best for you.

Apple cider vinegar is made from apple must and cider. The apples are crushed and the liquid is squeezed out. Yeast and sugar are later added. This starts the fermentation process. The alcohol is later converted into vinegar. Your best bet is to purchase from a health and nutrition or organic food store. With that said, apple cider vinegar is available for sale at many retail stores, both on and offline.

When buying apple cider vinegar to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis, opt for the fresh kind. It is found in most health and nutrition stores. When looking at the package, you should see sediments at the bottom. This is natural apple cider. Yes, the kind sold at the grocery store does look more enticing, but it has been altered and strained, losing some of its helpful properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #1

Combine up to three tablespoons of the vinegar in a cup with large water. If you cannot stomach the taste, as a few drops of honey. You can do this anytime through the day, but most recommend before bed. Some recommended drinking the mixture two to three times a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #2

Combine cup of apple cider with one to two cups of warm water. Place the combination in a bowl and soak the achy joints. For example, if it is your fingers or toes that hurt, soak them. Do so for at least ten minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy #3

Combine cup of apple cider vinegar with one to two cups of warm water. This is a continuation of remedy two. If your achy joints are too large to soak, put a cloth in the bowl. Let it soak up the mixture, wring to prevent dripping, and apply to the achy area. Keep the wrap on for at least ten minutes.

Apple cider vinegar is full of acid. For that reason, never drink straight. Always mix with water. This should not be a problem, as most are unable to stomach the sour taste anyways. As with most natural supplements, it is available in capsules form. You can take these, but it is best to opt for the real thing. You receive added health benefits and get a better value for your money.

Now that you have three different apple cider vinegar remedies, you may wonder exactly what they will do for you. As previously stated, results will vary. With that said, most noticed a decrease or elimination in pain. Users also noticed increased mobility. So, not only was it less painful to move around, but easier too!

Apple cider vinegar is not an immediate pain reliever. You may notice some improvement right away, but continued use is best. The longer you drink an apple cider vinegar mixture or soak your joints, the more benefits you feel. Some arthritis patients commented that they stopped drinking or soaking in the mixture due to improved movement and less pain. Unfortunately, those same individuals saw their pain return.

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Over-the-Counter Pain Pills: Your Arthritis Relief Options

If you suffer from arthritis, you also suffer from pain. With some forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, the pain comes and goes. For others, such as osteoarthritis, the pain is constant and long-lived. To seek relief you may need to turn to over-the-counter pain pills.

When shopping for over-the-counter pain relief pills, you will find a wide range of choices. In fact, it will seem as if your options are unlimited. So, which brand should you buy? Where should you shop? How much should you expect to pay?

In terms of brands, it depends on your own personal preference. Some individuals swear by Tylenol and others claim it does not even relieve simple pains, like a headache. We have all used pain relievers at one point in time. Think back to that time and the brand you used. Did you feel relief? If so, return to that brand. You know it works.

You should also consider your arthritis pain when shopping for pain reliever. Do you want extended relief? Did you know that Tylenol has a specific arthritis formula that results in both fast and long-term relief? They do. Aleve uses the same formula for most medications, but there is special packaging available for arthritis patients. Instead of pressing two releasers at the same time on the bottle, you just twist the top! Choose a pain reliever that works and is easy to use.

What should you do if a pain reliever does not work? First, review the bottle to ensure you are properly taking the medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers have different formulas and dosages. For example, you may need to take two Tylenol capsules every four to six hours, but only two Aleve pills a day. If you are taking the medication as directed and still feel pain, consider switching brands. Do not up your dosage unless given direct orders by a medical professional.

In terms of shopping, pain relievers are readily available at a wide range of retail stores. In addition to shopping online, they are found in most grocery stores, drug stores, health stores, and department stores. You can shop at any store you like. For most, it is best to opt for convenience. For example, if you are already shopping in Wal-Mart, stop by their health and beauty section and pickup a package of pain relievers. Unless out of medication and in pain, do not make a special trip to a special store.

In terms of costs, consider a number of factors. One of those factors is brand. Well-known brands, such as Aleve, Advil, and Tylenol, cost more. Cheaper alternatives are store brand products. They typically bear the name of the store you are shopping at. For example, both Walgreens and Rite-Aid have their own pain relievers. These store brands are cheaper. You may be worried about quality, but pickup the packages and compare. Typically, you will find the ingredients to be the same. In most cases, you are just paying extra for a well-known name.

Another factor to consider when estimating cost is where you shop. As previously stated, pain relievers are readily available at many retail stores. Supermarkets are usually the most expensive. Shoppers are there to buy groceries, pain relievers may just be an extra purchase that the store can profit from. Drug stores have lower prices, but many still find them costly. Your best option is to shop at a discount retailer, such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Family Dollar, and Dollar General.

The over-consumption of pain pills is advised against. You should only take them when in pain, not to prevent it. Even still, you may find yourself using over-the-counter pain relievers to seek relief from your arthritis pain and discomfort daily. This can also up the costs. Look for moneysaving coupons. Occasionally, Excedrin, Aleve, Advil, Bayer, and Tylenol all have printable coupons online or clipable coupons in the Sunday newspaper.

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