BLOG 79 ARTHRITIS

BLOG 79 ARTHRITIS

When aches and pains persist and it hurts just to move sometimes, we know our bodies are communicating to us. Inflammation is our body signaling to us that an area is not doing well. Arthritis is the inflammation of our joints. This is a more common condition than one might think, so let’s take a look at the symptoms and causes and how arthritis might impact our fitness journeys.

There are over 100 types of arthritis but osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two most common. It is seen mostly in people over the age of 65 and is a silent creeper, but some children and younger adults do have problems. It is the loss of cartilage that protects and lubricates our joints that causes arthritis. Areas usually affected by arthritis include fingers, toes, wrists, knees, and elbows.

In our everyday living, we constantly use our joints. When it comes to osteoarthritis, “Normal wear and tear causes OA, one of the most common forms of arthritis. An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Your risk of developing OA may be higher if you have a family history of the disease” (http://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis#Causes2). For myself, post ACL and meniscus surgery, I am aware of the swelling that can occur from leg exercises and have to be careful to monitor the inflammation. I might live in the moment to push through a heavy set, but will feel the joint pain if not today then ten years down the road. As such, the importance of proper form and appropriate exercise selection are critical. Here are the signs and symptoms (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20198250) :

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain. Your joint may hurt during or after movement.
• Tenderness. Your joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.
• Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
• Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
• Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint.
• Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis has more severe pain associated with it. To summarize, “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels” (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/home/ovc-20197388). Adding to this, “Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks the synovium — the lining of the membranes that surround your joints. The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch. Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/home/ovc-20197388).
The signs and symptoms include (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20197390) :

• Tender, warm, swollen joints
• Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity
• Fatigue, fever and weight loss

Arthritis comes and goes. The pain can flare up unexpectedly or be constant for a period of time before it subsides. Family history, age, smoking, and weight all are risk factors. Your doctor will advise the best treatment option for you. Here’s the best summary I found of treatment: “You're probably familiar with a group of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs interfere with chemicals called prostaglandins in the body, which trigger pain, inflammation, and fever. Some NSAIDs are available without a prescription for relief of pain and fever at your local drugstore, including ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. There are also many other prescription NSAIDs available, such as celecoxib (Celebrex), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril). Prescription doses of NSAIDs also curb inflammation. (http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/options-basics?page=3) . 

Living in pain is not enjoyable for anyone and we know that our fitness journeys must strive on. Alleviate your pain through movement if possible. Seek the medical advice of your doctor in terms of what you should and should not do exercise wise, and I will be your guide to make it happen. I admire those clients that do as much as they can despite arthritis pain because every BODY can do every exercise, and every BODY is worth their fitness journey efforts.