Arthritis Treatment

Diagnosing which arthritis the person is suffering from, depends on the pace of the disease, age and sex of the patient, how badly the joints are affected and any other additional symptoms, which could include psoriasis or rheumatoid nodules.

There is no known cure for arthritis. The main goals of treatment involve pain reduction, the prevention of deformities and loss of joint function. Treatment options can include reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, drug therapy and surgery. Drug treatment normally includes anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Reduction of obesity and rest during inflammation are also recommended to alleviate symptoms. Gentle exercise can also ease the pain and prevent the joints from becoming too stiff.

Alternative arthritis treatments involve herbal remedies, mental stress relief (meditation, visualization, affirmations, relaxation techniques etc), eating certain foods to alleviate arthritis symptoms or allergies (for example, rich oily fish) and certain exercises to reduce stress and aid emotional well being (yoga, Alexander technique).

Arthritis could be secondary to diseases like hepatitis and Reiter's syndrome. The symptoms are also quite similar to diseases like osteoporosis and multiple myeloma. Therefore, it is important to get medical advice and a correct diagnosis, before deciding on a course of treatment.