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What is Arthritis, its cause, and treatments?

Louisiana Pain Specialists Blog What is Arthritis, its cause, and treatments?
What is Arthritis, its cause, and treatments?

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term used to describe joint pain or joint disease.

Actually, there are more than 100 varieties of arthritis and related conditions. This disease does not discriminate: all ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities are afflicted with arthritis. As the USA’s leading cause of disability, over 50 million adults and 300,000 children have one of the 100 varieties of this disease and related conditions. It is more common in women than men, and is more frequently diagnosed as people age. Common symptoms, which may be sporadic, include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. The level of pain can be mild, moderate or severe. The pain level may remain stable for a number of years, but may escalate after a long period of time. Severe arthritis pain is debilitating, causing chronic pain, the inability to perform daily tasks, and cause the inability to walk or climb stairs.

 

Arthritis can permanently disfigure joints which may be visible to the naked eye, such as gnarled finger joints.

However, most often, the damage is exclusively visible by X-ray. In addition to affecting the joints, more debilitating types of arthritis impinge on the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys or skin. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized with the loss of cartilage, where bone rubs against bone, causing significant chronic pain and swelling, accompanied by stiffness. Risk factors that cause arthritis are: family history, previous injury, age, and obesity. Inflammatory Arthritis, Infectious Arthritis, and Metabolic Arthritis are three classifications of the disease, which have far more complicated causes and treatments than osteoarthritis.

Treatments for the disease include maintaining a healthy weight, remaining physically active, and seeking the care of a physician who specializes in the type of arthritis has afflicted you. Most importantly, seek the treatment of a physician that specializes in pain management.

 

The physicians at Louisiana Pain Specialists are dedicated to practicing pain medicine in a responsible manner that brings relief to those that are suffering, recognizing that an accurate diagnosis is crucial in order to alleviate the pain.

If you have chronic pain that is interfering with your daily activities, Louisiana Pain Specialists serves the Metro New Orleans area at five different locations: in Kenner at 231 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite B; in Metairie at 3434 Houma Boulevard, Suite 301; in New Orleans at 3439 Prytania Street, Suite 501; in New Orleans East at 5621 Read Boulevard; and in Marrero at 4520 Wichers Drive, Suite 205.

While we participate in most insurance plans, our insurance specialist will confirm your coverage prior to attending your appointment. To make an appointment to learn how our physicians can alleviate your chronic pain, call (504) 267-1185.

An appointment is required at all 5 locations, so join us at a location near you!

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