May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about a condition that affects so many older adults. Arthritis is actually a general term that is used to refer to more than 100 different types of conditions that affect joints. Though some types of arthritis are rare, others occur more often. Below are just four of the more common kinds of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis. It occurs over time as joints are damaged by overuse. Weight bearing joints are affected more often than other kinds of joints, so people with osteoarthritis are often affected in their spine, knees, hips, and feet. The cartilage that protects the ends of bones breaks down. Eventually, the bones may rub against one another. Osteoarthritis is painful, but people with it don’t usually have the fatigue or feelings of illness that can come with other kinds of arthritis.
Gout
Gout is a kind of arthritis that causes inflammation, but not body-wide. It is caused by a build up of uric acid crystals in a joint. The most commonly affected joint is the big toe. It is an extremely painful form of arthritis. It often strikes suddenly with the senior feeling fine one day and waking the next day in terrible pain. An attack of gout typically lasts anywhere from three to ten days. Over time, a person with gout will experience more frequent attacks.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues that line joints, causing inflammation. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis develop nodules, or lumps, on their joints. The nodules most often form on joints that have pressure placed on them, such as knuckles, elbows, and heels.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation in both the joints and skin. In the skin, it causes scaly red and white patches. The patches usually happen on the elbows, knees, scalp, navel, and around genitals. In addition to skin symptoms, it causes swelling in the joints. Sometimes only one or a few joints are affected. It can cause swelling in fingers and toes.
If your aging relative suffers from arthritis pain, a senior care provider can help them manage the pain. A senior care provider can remind them to take their arthritis medications. They can also help keep the older adult more active, which can help strengthen muscles and support joints. Senior care providers can also drive the person to their medical appointments.
Sources
https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/understanding/types-of-pain.php
https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/most-common-arthritis-types
https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis-types#rheumatoid-arthritis
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in Pinellas Park, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
