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Arthritis
What is
arthritis?
Any painful
joint with swelling is arthritis.
Who all can
have arthritis?
Those with
family history, overweight, past history of joint injury or
deformed limbs are more prone for arthritis.
How do I know
that I have arthritis?
Constant or
intermittent joint pain with repeated swelling in indicative
of arthritis. Pain on getting up from bed or chair, morning
stiffness and pain all indicative of arthritis.
Can it be
cured?
Most people
suffer from small bouts of joint pain or inflammation which
can be cured if proper medication and precautions are
followed. Long standing arthritis sometimes requires
prolonged arthritis specific medicines called DMARD?s or
Biologics.
Advanced joint
destruction and arthritis may require surgery to get relief
from the constant pain.
When do we
need surgery?
Prolonged
disease with constant pain and discomfort which does not
respond to medicines, massages brace or physiotherapy is an
indication for surgery.
What type of
surgery is available and needed?
Early
arthritis can be treated with small arthroscopic surgeries
or mini incision re alignment surgery.
Advanced
arthritis may require Joint replacement surgery like total
knee replacement or total hip replacement.
OSTEOPOROSIS
What is osteoporosis?
Progressively
weakened bone making them brittle is called osteoporosis.
Who all can have osteoporosis?
Women with
menopause more than 40-50 years, men above 65 are prone for
osteoporosis. People taking medicines for epilepsy, asthma,
stomach illness, arthritis, skin diseases are prone to
osteoporosis. Smoking, tobacco in any form, alcohol,
obesity, sedentary life style all predispose to
osteoporosis.
How to know?
Generalized
body ache, past history of fracture, difficulty in getting
up from chair or bed, constant backache, reduced height and
stooping posture are all indicative of osteoporosis.
How to prevent?
Regular
exercises, walk, swimming,cycling with healthy nutritious
diet rich in vitamins, calcium and minerals help prevent and
fight osteoporosis.
Quit smoking,
alcohol and reduce weight.
What is the treatment?
Other than
calcium supplementation vit D, hormone replacement after
menopause, treating any underlying cause remains the
mainstay.
Special
medicines (bis-phosphonates) taken weekly, monthly or yearly
are also necessary. Nutritious diet and exercises are very
important in its management.
For cases with
fractures rest, braces or sometimes surgery may be needed
Can I have fractures without accidents?
We all know
fractures occur after fall or accidents but it may occur
with simple jerks or no injury at all. Episodes of chronic
cough or vomiting can cause such fractures. These are
pathological or osteoporotic fractures.
How to know them?
If pain
persists in back or hip after repeated coughing or sneezing.
If slight jerk is followed by loss of power or function of
foot or hand. If sudden painful swelling develops after such
an event it should be evaluated for fracture.
What is the treatment?
Most such
fractures of back or chest can be managed with rest and
medicines. Evaluation may be needed if condition
deteriorates or there is no relief. Fractures around hip or
large bones may require surgery.
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