Arthritis

Published on: July 16, 2018

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression

While there are ways to manage the physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including the chronic pain, not as easy is the task of diagnosing and managing the mental conditions that are often associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

According to one study that was published in Rheumatology and Therapy, as many as 30% of people who have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis go on to suffer from depression within five years after the diagnosis. A chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis means chronic pain, inconvenience, and that in turn, can prevent an individual from performing many of the activities that he or she used to perform earlier.

If you enjoyed an active life earlier, you may find it much more difficult to adjust to the limited mobility and movement brought on by rheumatoid arthritis. Active people may find it difficult to get used to the fact that they may no longer be able to participate in sports or enjoy the kind of physical or recreational activities that they used to earlier. For obvious reasons, that lack of physical mobility leads to low self-esteem, irritability, and even depression.

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Published on: October 26, 2017

Arthritis Becoming More Common in Younger Population

By Lisa Siegel

Ignoring a sports injury, or returning to work too quickly after an injury, may actually increase a young person’s risk of developing arthritis later in life.

In fact, according to recent research conducted by the University of Iowa, joint damage at the site of an injury may evolve into further problems and actually be a predictor for arthritis down the line. Furthermore, evidence of arthritis could emerge as quickly as within a decade of suffering the injury.

We generally think of arthritis as a condition that strikes older or middle-aged people, but often neglect the fact that sports injuries can actually trigger joint and bone damage in younger people that can result in future symptoms of arthritis. More than 27 million Americans currently live with arthritis. Those numbers are expected to increase as the population ages and the number of obese people in the population increases. More than 40% of people who suffer an injury to the ligaments, meniscus, or the articular surface of a joint will develop arthritis in the future. For example, a history of knee injury increases your risk of developing arthritis in the knee by as much as 3 to 6 times.

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Published on: August 8, 2017

Stem Cell Therapy Promises Benefits for Arthritis Sufferers

By Lisa Siegel

Research shows that stem cell therapy has many benefits for arthritis patients, especially those who suffer from advanced stages of the condition.

According to ongoing studies, stem cell therapy may not promise a complete cure for arthritis, but could trigger the production of healthy cells that can replace damaged cells. These stem cell transplants are now being used to replace damaged cartilage between joints.

Arthritis is a condition involving inflammation of the joints, swelling and pain. Over time, joints can become weak, and the pain chronic. There are several types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis.

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Published on: April 28, 2014

New Non-Surgical Treatment for Knee Arthritis Show Promising Signs

By Lisa Siegel

Knee osteoarthritis causes chronic pain, stiffness, and difficulty in walking, often making it challenging for individuals to perform routine activities. As a result, going back to work may not be an option for persons with this medical condition. Now, researchers have announced a new non-surgical technique to treat the pain and stiffness that accompanies knee osteoarthritis.

The technique has been developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. According to researchers, they have experimented with a two-solution treatment, which involves a series of injections that are administered to the knee region. This therapy is called prolotherapy, and the results of the study were recently published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Researchers reported substantial improvement in symptoms in a group of participants who were monitored over a one year period. During the testing time, participants received at least three of the two-solution injections. The researchers found that there was an improvement in symptoms varying from 19.5% to 42.9% compared to the person’s original status.

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Published on: May 7, 2013

Researchers Identify Early Warning Signs of Arthritis

By Lisa Siegel

Persons who suffer from osteoarthritis can be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if they can show that their symptoms are severe enough. For example, you may be eligible if you are unable to walk, stand for long periods of time, and have severe back problems.

Osteoarthritis is a condition, in which there is stiffness and swelling in the joints, severe pain, and muscular weakness. The person may also suffer from reduced range of motion in the joints, restricting movement.

According to new research, cartilage damage can help identify the earliest stages of osteoarthritis. The study was conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, who developed a technique that identifies changes that occur in cartilage, after a person engages in high-risk activities like running and jumping.

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