If you are one of the millions of people with arthritis, you know how debilitating it can be. Arthritis refers to conditions that cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing arthritis, but there are a few things you can do to help ease your symptoms. One of the best ways to manage arthritis is to keep your body as healthy as possible. You can also try to keep your joints moving and flexible.
Additionally, several treatments are available for arthritis, including medication, physical therapy, and surgery. It is vital to work with a specialist in arthritis in Dundalk to find the best treatment plan for you. Here are some of the most common types of arthritis.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis, and it affects about 1.3 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. It can also affect other body parts, such as the heart, lungs, and eyes. Usually, rheumatoid arthritis develops slowly over time, and it can be challenging to diagnose. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but several treatments are available that can help ease the symptoms.
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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint disease and affects about 27 million Americans. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to wear away. This can lead to pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints. Although you cannot cure osteoarthritis, several treatments available can help ease the symptoms.
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Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects about 7 million Americans. It is a joint disease that occurs in people who have psoriasis, which causes red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints and swollen fingers and toes. If you live with psoriatic arthritis, it is important to work with a specialist to find the best treatment plan. However, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis.
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Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that affects about 3 million Americans. It is a condition that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes crystals to form in the joints. This can lead to pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints. Gout can also cause other health problems, such as kidney stones. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help treat gout, but there is no cure.
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Juvenile Arthritis
Juvenile arthritis affects about 300,000 American children. It is a type of arthritis that occurs in children younger than 16. Juvenile arthritis can cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints and swollen fingers and toes. There is no cure for juvenile arthritis, but several treatments are available that can help ease the symptoms.
In summary, there are several different types of arthritis, and each one requires a different approach to treatment. If you live with arthritis, it is crucial to work with a specialist to find the best treatment plan. You can also keep your body as healthy as possible and keep your joints moving and flexible. Several treatments are available for arthritis, including medication, physical therapy, and surgery.