PARISH NURSE NOTES

ARTHRITIS

Parish Nurse’s Notes. . .

May is not only National Older Adults Month; it is also Arthritis Awareness Month. 

Arthritis is a continually growing health problem and is the number one cause of disability in the U.S.  Symptoms of arthritis include swelling, pain and stiffness around the joints. These symptoms usually cause sufferers to become less active as a result.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis.  Identifying the type of arthritis is essential so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.  The most common form, affecting 50 percent of arthritis sufferers, is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of cartilage in the joints wearing down, which causes the bones in the joints to rub together.  Rheumatoid arthritis is another form of arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease that affects 2.5 million Americans. The immune system begins to act against the body and immune cells attack the cartilage and bone.  Other common forms of arthritis include gout and lupus.

While most people think of arthritis as a disease of aging, children and teens can also have arthritis. The most common form of arthritis in children and teens is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The main symptoms of JRA are joint inflammation, joint contracture (stiff, bent joint), joint damage and/or alteration or change in growth. The symptoms can change in each different case as well as from day to day.

Although the exact cause of OA is not known, some scientists believe that joint damage begins in response to physical stress (such as an injury or repetitive movement).  This stress can erode the cartilage that normally encases the ends of the bones in a joint and serves to cushion the bones and to help the joint move smoothly and easily.  The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Steady or intermittent pain in a joint.
• Stiffness after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting.
• Swelling or tenderness in 1 or more joints.
• Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone when the joint is used.

It was thought for many years that if you had arthritis you should not exercise because it would damage your joints. Now, however, research has shown that exercise is an essential tool in managing your arthritis.  Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance. But it also helps promote overall health and fitness by giving you more energy, helping you sleep better, controlling your weight, decreasing depression, and giving you more self-esteem. Furthermore, exercise can help stave off other health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.  If you are reluctant to exercise because you are in such pain you may want to start with a water exercise program. In the water your body's buoyancy reduces stress on your hips, knees, and spine. 

The Arthritis Foundation offers several informative booklets that can be ordered by calling 1-800-568-4045.  They also have videos and DVD’s with safe and effective exercise programs that can be ordered

Blessings, 

Joanie Friend, Parish Nurse