Arthritis is a chronic disorder of the joints that affects nearly 50% of people aged 65 yrs and older.
Pain and inflammation of the joints generally characterize the condition.
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease: Normal wear and tear on the joints are common in people over 50 and are manifested as pain in a joint after exertion, or before or during change from warm to cold weather, accompanied by swelling and loss of flexibility in a joint, aching, redness and warmth.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting people aged 20-50, manifested as generalized aching or stiffness, swelling, pain, warmth and flare-ups.
This condition is due to the attack of the immune system on the joint-lining tissue.
Infectious arthritis: Pain and stiffness in one joint with warmth and redness on the surrounding tissue induced by micro-organisms. Chills, fever, weakness and rash may accompany the condition.
Gouty arthritis: A condition caused by accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints manifested as a sudden strike of severe pain in a single joint, swelling and redness.
Other forms of inflammatory arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondilytis.
Signs and Symptoms
Joint pain
Loss of movement
Stiffness and swelling in the joints
Snapping of the joints
Bony growths at the joints and abnormal angulation
Advice to the customers
Exercise regularly. Any exercise that does not cause more pain or swelling will do.
Hot packs or cold packs may help ease the pain. Hot packs may relieve the stiffness while cold packs can numb an area that hurts. Hot showers can also help relax muscles and ease pain.
Maintain a normal weight, excess weight puts more stress on the weight-bearing joints increasing the risk for knees, hip and back pains.
­Prescription Advice
Instruct the patient on the medication and how to use it properly, i.e. name of the medication, frequency of dosage etc.
In case of exacerbation despite treatment, or in cases where arthritic pain and discomfort do not improve, instruct the patient to consult a physician immediately.
Advise the patient on the possible adverse effects of some arthritis preparations. In case where side effects are manifested instruct the patients to consult a physician immediately.
Discuss Advice to the customers thoroughly for more information or the prevention and management of arthritis.
Source: Adapted from MIMS Bangladesh, issue 2/2013