Arthritis
Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the different joints found in the human body such as the wrist, knuckles, knees, ankles and hips. It is not a disease in itself but a much broader term for pain and inflammation of the joints.
Understanding arthritis
Arthritis refers to over 150 different inflammatory conditions relating to joints, bones and muscles that make up the musculoskeletal system.
Discomfort and pain usually depend on the type of arthritis and extent of degeneration of joints affected. Arthritis can affect people of all ages including children and people from varied lifestyles and backgrounds.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways to manage the progression and pain.
1 in 7 Australians have arthritis and 1 in 2 Australians with arthritis reported moderate to severe pain*.
Explore more arthritis topics below
Major causes of arthritis
Arthritis can be caused by a range of factors from injury to the joints, genetics and inheritance, to immune system disorder or an irregular metabolism. Quite often, being overweight also results in increased stress on joints.
More than one factor may also contribute to pain experienced in joints. A demanding job may put a person at an increased risk of arthritis who is genetically inclined or may have had an injury. For some, arthritis may have no predictable cause for emergence.
Early signs of arthritis
Each condition will have specific symptoms relating to your joints such as:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tender or warm to touch
- Stiffness
Other early signs to watch out for include:
- Fever, but no other signs of flu
- Overall fatigue
- Weight loss
- Skin ailments
- Feeling unwell
Speak to yourlocal TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacistfor more information on managing your pain better. It is recommended to see your doctor if the joint pain persists beyond three days.
Arthritis treatment
Medical professionals consider osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as chronic conditions, however there are many treatment options available that can help manage joint pain and improve function.
Discussing your symptoms with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible will help early diagnosis and commencement of treatment. Treatment for arthritis is focused on controlling joint pain to minimise further damage.
In most cases the earlier treatment is started, the better the outcomes. Treatments are not just confined to medicines and pharmacists will work with doctors, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals to help patients live well despite the pain.
Common prescription medications used to treat arthritis
- Analgesics such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can provide temporary pain relief.
- Biologics are biological disease-modifying drugs that specifically work on controlling the immune system in a targeted manner for arthritis caused by autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDs) work on controlling the immune system to slow down the damaging effect on joints in arthritis caused by autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) provide pain relief by controlling inflammation of joints
Other treatment options
- Speak to your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist about other supportive treatment options, such as rubs that can be used for flares or breakthrough pain.
- Consult a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist to strengthen the muscles around the joint and stablise it for better range of motion.
- If you are overweight, losing weight may help to ease pressure on your joints. Speak to your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist or dietician to work out what is right for you.
- Discuss with your physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about low-impact exercises that won’t further aggravate the joint pain.
- Short-term acute joint pain may be relieved with a simple technique known as PRICE: Protect the joint with a brace or wrap, rest the joint, ice the joint for about 15 minutes several times each day and elevate the joint above the level of your heart.
- A joint replacement surgery may be suggested by orthopaedic surgeon in advanced arthritis where there is severe pain and reduced mobility.
Managing arthritis for daily living
Here are a few ideas to better manage your joint pain and make daily living easier.
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Exercise regularly and stay active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Prepare for your travels with these simple tips
- Work closely with your healthcare team
How TerryWhite Chemmart can help
Joint pain whether mildly irritating or debilitating can put a strain on daily life, where seemingly simple tasks require a huge effort.
Our pain management hub is designed to help you live better with persistence. Speak to one of our pharmacists for advice on managing arthritis for better outcomes for daily living.