Arthritis is a common condition which affects many Australians. One in five people are thought to suffer from some form of arthritis, and contrary to popular opinion, young and middle-aged people suffer from it as well as the elderly, with two out of every three sufferers being between the ages of 15 and 60.
The term arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions, the most common of these being gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which are said to make up approximately 95 per cent of all cases in Australia.
According to a report released in 2007, approximately 3.8 million Australians experience some form of arthritis with an overall economic impact on the Australian economy of approximately 24 billion dollars.
If you are suffering from inflammation, pain or stiffness to your joints then it may be likely that you have some form of arthritis.
Due to the nature of pain you need to be able to manage and treat both your mental and physical states.
You should make an appointment to see a doctor and seek a prognosis along with a management and treatment strategy.
A doctor will need to make a physical examination of the affected areas and due to the many types of conditions which are categorized as arthritis, may choose to take a blood test and/or arrange for x-rays to be undertaken in order to make a full diagnosis.
Some options for treatment include: acupuncture, diet management, exercise, heat application, massage, and body and mind management techniques.
Analgesics, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are some medicinal treatments which may be considered.
If the need for corrective surgery or reduction of severe pain is agreed upon, then the sufferer may need to undergo an arthrodesis, arthroscopy, osteotomy or resection.
Through a combination of management and treatment your arthritis suffering can be reduced.
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