Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Symptoms of arthritis may include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and limitation of movement.
There are over 100 types of arthritis. Three common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
- Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage that protects and cushions joints breaks down over time. Eventually, the bones—formerly separated by the cartilage—rub against each other, resulting in damage to the tissue and underlying bone and causing painful joint symptoms.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammation of the membranes or tissues lining the joints. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis may destroy the joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bone, and, in rare but severe cases, may cause organ damage.
- Gouty arthritis (gout) is an inflammatory joint disease that causes acute pain and swelling. It is a form of arthritis that develops when uric acid crystals form in and around the joints, commonly affecting the big toe joint (this symptom is called podagra). People who have gout may have a very painful attack in one or two joints followed by the total disappearance of all symptoms until the next attack.
Exercising Safely With Arthritis
Making changes to your home when you have arthritis
Here are some changes you can make in your home that can help you move more easily and with less pain.
- Use doorknob covers to make opening doors easier.
- Replace round doorknobs.
Get doorknobs with levers so that you don't have to use a whole grip to twist the doorknob open. You can just push down on the handle with your hand or even your elbow. This takes the strain off your wrist and fingers.
- Use a reacher.
A reacher lets you pick up things off the floor or grab items that are high up in cabinets or closets.
- Use padded or large-handled tools.
These tools make objects such as keys, silverware, kitchen pots and pans, combs, and toothbrushes easier to hold.
- Use electric tools.
Tools such as electric can openers, blenders, and power tools make it easier to open cans, mix things, or do home repairs.
- Use higher chairs or seat cushions and tall stools.
Cushions and higher chairs help you avoid sitting in chairs that are very low and hard to get in and out of. Use a stool for tasks that you would normally do standing up, such as working in the kitchen or wood shop.
- Make your bathroom safer and easier to use.
- Use a raised seat on your toilet to make it easier to sit down and stand up.
- Put in grab bars to help you get in and out of the shower or tub.
- Use no-slip tape in the bathtub.
All of these things can also help prevent falls.
- Use tools to help you get dressed.
Buttonhooks, long-handled shoehorns, and sock pullers can make getting dressed easier. And use Velcro instead of small buttons or snaps on your clothes.
You can find some of these devices and tools online, in medical supply stores and catalogs, and in local retail and home improvement stores. An occupational therapist can help you make these and other changes to your home.
If you have health insurance, it may help you pay for some of these changes. If you have trouble affording the changes you need, talk to your doctor. They may be able to refer you to programs that can help.
Hot and Cold Therapy for Arthritis
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