The pain of arthritis is very unpleasant, but over time it can start to affect your life. Although a complete cure is not possible, there are a variety of tools to help the state. Select treatment, of course, should be with the doctor.

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Despite the promising forecasts and the popularity of these tools, they are not as useful for the treatment of arthritis as previously hoped. Numerous tests have shown that in most cases, glucosamine and chondroitin no more effective in mild to moderate pain in the knees Living with pain in the knees: a walk to facilitate Than placebo.

However, people who apply only chondroitin (as opposed to just taking glucosamine), still experienced improvement. And this applies to patients suffering from severe pain. General conclusion: For most arthritis patients these drugs are of little use. For patients with severe pain chondroitin can be used as part of a broader treatment program.

Hyaluronic acid

In this method of treatment via joints injected with hyaluronic acid to replace hyaluronan natural substance, whose function is similar to motor oil - it allows to freely move different parts of the joint. Some people these injections help ease the pain for a year or even longer. Studies show that this type of therapy is not as effective for reducing pain than aspirin or ibuprofen. However, the injection does not help everyone, they should be done regularly, and they are expensive. Therefore, most doctors consider injection of a backup plan in case other means have failed.

Ginger

Ginger helps for nausea, but there is still evidence that this plant with anti-inflammatory properties to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. Thus, in contrast to analgesics and ginger Ginger and the most unexpected, but pleasant useful properties   It does not cause problems with the stomach. You can freely use ginger when cooking different dishes, brewed ginger tea or take a daily 0, 5-1 g ground ginger.

Willow bark

Willow bark silver - the original source of salicin, the active ingredient of aspirin. Willow bark somewhat eases the pain of arthritis, but the effect is weaker than traditional painkillers.

SAM-e

It's quite a controversial dietary supplement, but its use for pain relief for arthritis is confirmed. SAM-e - reduction of S-adenosylmethionine, a substance that is contained in the body and perform many functions. Tests show that it protects the cells producing cartilage, and stimulates the production of substances that facilitate the movement of the joint. Application of SAM-e, according to some studies, helps to relieve pain and improve mobility in arthritis. However, high doses of SAM-e are side effects, and interactions with other drugs can cause serious complications. Therefore, it can be taken only on doctor's advice.

Osteotomy

This kind of surgery, in which the bones of the knee is moved (or give them other forms), to ease pressure on arthritic area. These operations do improve the functioning of the joints and relieve pain, but there is no reliable evidence that osteotomy is more effective than conservative approach, including exercises and taking pain.

Several ways to treat arthritis, which is best avoided

• Arthroscopy

In this operation, the surgeon makes a small incision in the knee, then using small tools clears the joint, remove fragments of cartilage or washes away the debris. However, observation over two years for the survivors of this operation showed that the operation did not bring them much good and even slightly worsened their condition.

• Local anesthetic creams

Creams that contain aspirin, do not help arthritis. Studies have shown that such creams easier once the acute pain, but are useless in chronic pain associated with arthritis.

• Vitamin E

It is believed that vitamin E and other antioxidants Antioxidants: the truth about the notorious benefits   can help reduce inflammation and relieve the pain of arthritis. Although some studies seem to confirm this, the most serious trials have shown that there is no difference between the state of health of patients with arthritis who took vitamin E and placebo Placebo - an effective tool for self-hypnosis . In addition, it should be remembered that an excess of vitamin E (400 mg) can be dangerous.

Seropositive arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis - permanent debilitating joint pain   - A disease that causes inflammation, pain and swelling of multiple (more than five) of the joints. The inflammatory process caused by seropositive polyarthritis, can lead to significant damage to the joints. The earlier treatment of disease, the less chance of damage to the joints. In some cases seropositive polyarthritis leads to the need for surgery.

Seropositive arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis - the most common form of arthritis that can occur at any age, but most often occurs in people between the ages of forty to sixty years. Women are suffering from seropositive arthritis are three times more often than men.

Seropositive arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease. In the usual case, the immune system produces antibodies that destroy harmful microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi. However, autoimmune diseases such antibodies affect the tissues of the body for an unknown reason. In the case of antibody seropositive arthritis synovium affect joints - the tissue surrounding the joints, which causes inflammation in the affected joints and tissues surrounding them. Over time, this inflammation may cause irreversible damage to joints, cartilage and bone near the joints.

Most often seropositive polyarthritis What is arthritis - when it hurts everywhere   It affects the small joints of the fingers and toes, wrists, feet, ankles, but may suffer from inflammation and any other joints. Rheumatoid arthritis Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications   It can be observed in the joints of the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, neck. In most cases the disease is symmetrical - i.e. joint damage observed simultaneously, for example, right hand and left hand.

Symptoms seropositive polyarthritis

The main symptom of seropositive arthritis - pain and stiffness of affected joints, usually aggravated after sleep or rest. The inflammation leads to swelling and redness of the skin around the affected joints. In some cases the development of polyarthritis seropositive leads to the appearance of other symptoms. Among them:

• The advent of small seals, nodules under the skin is observed in one out of four cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Typically, such sealing does not cause pain.
• Inflammation of the tendons.
• Anemia, fatigue.
• Fever, a general feeling of malaise, aching muscles.
• In very rare cases, seropositive arthritis causes inflammation in other areas of the body - lungs, heart, blood vessels, eyes.

Development of the disease

In most cases, seropositive arthritis develops gradually over a few weeks - first, for example, there is the immobility of joints of the hands, wrists or feet in the morning, which disappears after a few hours. Then, gradually, in the same joints appear pain, swelling begins. In rare cases seropositive arthritis causes severe pain and swelling, rapid multiple joints for a few days. In addition, in rare situations when arthritis symptoms first appear non-joints - for example, fever, weight loss, muscle pain - and only then - joint pain Joint pain - how to understand what is going on? .

Seropositive polyarthritis without proper treatment in time can lead to significant damage to the joints. Inflammation can damage the cartilage and lead to a thinning of the bones, damaged ligaments surrounding the joints and connective tissue. In rare cases, damage to the joints due to arthritis can lead to deformation of joints malfunction - for example, if rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the fingers and wrists, hands to perform simple tasks become more difficult.