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Arthritis is a silent enemy that interfere with the bone health of the body, which affects millions of people worldwide, causing painful joints, constraints and restricted movements. It's a medical condition that can softly enter into your life, making your everyday activities becomes a frustrating task.

But arthritis is more than just a physical medical condition, do you know want to know more? Let's do it together as we create awareness for arthritis!

First, what is arthritis??

Arthritis is a medical health condition that involves the inflammation of one or more joints in the body that can rigidness and pain that can definitely worsen with age. Of course there are over 100 different types of arthritis that exists and each type comes with a infections, underlying diseases and even causes including wear and tear. Below are most of the common ones with brief explanation;

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1. Osteoarthritis: This weakening condition is the most common type of arthritis and it involves the wearing away of cartilage that caps the bones in the joint.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune illness in which the immune system attached the filling of joints, causing inflammation and discomfort in the joints.
3. Gout: This condition here, involves the creation of uric acid crystals in the joints, also causing discomfort and inflammation.
4. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: This type of arthritis affects children and causes pain and inflammation in the joint.
5. Thumb arthritis: As the name implies, it affects the joint of the thumb causing rigidness and pain.
6. Septic arthritis: This type of arthritis happens when a bacterial infection births inflammation in the joint.
7. Reactive arthritis: This condition also occurs, as a "reaction" to a bacterial infection and then cause the usual inflammations in the joint.
8. Psoriatic arthritis: Often accompanied by psoriasis, this condition cause inflammation in the joint also.
9. Ankylosing spondylitis: This disease affects the spine and causes pain and stiffness.

Each type of arthritis can cause various symptoms and also have impact on people in different ways. Generally arthritis can cause pain, discomfort, stiffness, rigidness, swelling and reduced range of movement with the affected joints. Basically the impact of arthritis on the patient is that it reduces motion.

Here are some lifestyle changes that can help to manage arthritis:

• Exercise: Regular exercise can help prevent or retrieve the effect of arthritis, and doctors recommend that exercising the range of motion to help enhance flexibility in the joints and muscles surrounding. Some exercises that promotes endurance such as, cycling, swimming or walking can help.
• Diet/Eating Habit: Health experts recommend eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains because of their ability to stop inflammation. Foods that have omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna and salmon, can help to fight swelling in the joints.
• Mindful meditation: Mindful meditation can also help dwindle fear, stress and depression in response to pain. By practicing the act of mindful meditation, you can handle your pain better.
• Cut out bad habits: Drinking, smoking and eating junk food can interfere with sleep, which is essential for tolerating pain and healing. Staying away from these bad habits can help manage the symptoms of arthritis.
• Yoga: In similarity to mindful meditation, yoga can help enhance joint mood and functionality. Constant yoga practice can give you more control and power over your mind and body.

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There are various common treatment of arthritis and some of them includes;

1. Analgesics: These medications helps to control and reduce pain. Counterirritant acetominophen and opioids a common analgesics that are used in arthritis therapy. But these drugs have no control over inflammation in the joints.
2. Corticosteroids: This is injected into the joint cavity to provide relief from pain, inflammation and swelling.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS): These drugs reduces inflammation and relieve pain. Examples are naproxen sodium, ibuprofen and many more.
4. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs: this medications help to minimize the symptoms of arthritis such as swelling and pain preventing the bone from deforming and maintaining a day-to-day functionality.
5. Viscosupplementation: These medications aids in relieving pain, such as hyaluronic acid injections.
6. Occupational and physical therapy: occupational therapy helps to strengthen the muscle by discovering ways to do everyday tasks without putting extra stress on the already painful joints, why physical therapy also helps the strengthen the muscle around your joint, reducing the pain and increasing flexibility.
7. Joint replacement surgery: This is an option where all treatments/medications didn't help out as expected. This surgery will be taken and an artificial joint will be replaced, Which normally last 10-15 years. SOURCE

The quality of life and impact on daily activities is always the main problem associated with arthritis for individuals;

• Difficulty performing daily activities and can make everyday tasks seem worrisome and a hint of torture.
• Consistent pain and stiffness in the affected joints making it difficult to move around, sleep and engage in activities.
• Restricted movement, mobility or motion.

Additionally, some emotional impacts associated includes;

• Social isolation
• Sleep disturbance leading to Lack of sleep
• Reduced involvement in things that bring pleasure to one like hobbies and interests..
• Dependence on others.
• Economic burden which implies significant expenditure on medications.

In the community where I stay, there are many misconceptions I see around about people who are suffering from arthritis and I think needs to be addressed;

• Arthritis is only for aged people (people that are order - old person's disease)
• Arthritis is just a normal occurrence of aging
• People with arthritis are very lazy and inactive human beings.
• Only Medications can manage arthritis (absence of any lifestyle changes)
• People with arthritis should avoid participating in exercises. It worsens the condition.
• Nothing can ever be done to care for arthritis. It is a for lifetime and no means of management.
• Arthritis is just about the joints

In conclusion, arthritis is a complex health condition that affects millions of people worldwide and it is important that we create possible awareness about this issue and how to manage it. Knowledge is key and knowledge also is power. I have played my part in giving awareness about arthritis, by pointing out lifestyle changes that helps manage arthritis, types and treatment, misconceptions and impact on the quality of life.

Thanks for reading.

I invite @bossj23, @princevincent1 and @entity01 to participate.

Cc,
@sahmie