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What Is Arthritis?

When people talk about having arthritis, they are usually talkingabout problems with their joints. The problems can affect any joint in the body, including:

There are many different types of arthritis with different causes and treatments. This webpage is going to give you information and tips on living with osteoarthritis (OA). It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people.

OA can be painful, but there are things you can do to feel better. By learning about the disease and taking part in your care, you can learn to manage the symptoms to help you live an active lifestyle.

For more information about OA and other types of arthritis, please browse the NIAMS Health Topics.

When you have OA, you may feel:

Pain and other joint symptoms may lead you to feel tired, have problems sleeping, and feel depressed.

Remember, there are things you can do to help improve your joint pain and stiffness. It is important to visit your doctor, who can suggest and prescribe treatments that may lessen your pain and help you feel better. Be sure to keep track of your symptoms so your doctor has a full picture of what you are feeling. Also, bring a list of medications and supplements you take to your doctor appointment. Download the PDF at the top of this page for a printable booklet that includes tools such as a medication tracker, symptom tracker, and daily activity tracker.

There is no one test that shows if you have OA. Your doctor may:

The goals of your treatment may include:

You may see several types of doctors for your OA, including your family doctor, a rheumatologist, or other specialists who can work with you to treat your joint problems.

Treating OA usually includes:

Some people may need medications to help manage the symptoms of OA. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your joint problems are severe and all other treatments tried have not helped. However, surgery is not right for everyone, and your doctor will help you decide if its best for you.

You may hear or read about other types of therapies to help treat your OA. For example:

Before taking any medicines or using other therapies, talk to your doctor.

There are many things you can do to help manage and live with OA. Start by working with your doctor to set up a treatment plan that works for you.

Learning as much as you can about OA from reliable sources can help, too. Some people find it helpful to take a class or talk with a community health worker to learn about the disease and how to manage the symptoms to allow you to live an active lifestyle.

You may feel sadness or frustration when living with osteoarthritis. But keep in mind, many people with this disease live full lives. You may find it helpful to look for a support group, online or in your community. Support groups can help you connect with others living with OA, and offer tips on how to manage your joint problems.

For a list of possible organizations to contact, see the Other Resources section below.

Here are some other tips that may help:

Scientists supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are working to find out what causes OA and other forms of arthritis and how they can best be treated.

Researchers are looking at these issues:

In addition, studies continue to:

A clinical trial is a type of research study that involves people who volunteer to take part in it. Most clinical trials test a new treatment for a health problem, like a new drug or diet. Clinical trials help doctors learn if a new treatment is better, the same, or worse than standard care. Other clinical trials test ways to prevent a disease or find it early.

Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial would be right for you. When you volunteer to take part in clinical research, you help doctors and researchers learn more about arthritis.

Also, when you participate in a study, you may have the chance to receive the newest treatment and have additional care from the clinical trial staff.

To learn more about the basics of participating in a clinical trial, visit the website NIH Clinical Research Trials and You.

At that website you will find:

To hear from people who have taken part in clinical studies led by NIAMS researchers, watch these videos.

National Institutes of Health 1 AMS CircleBethesda, MD 20892-3675Phone: 301-495-4484Toll free: 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267). For telecommunications support, dial 711Fax: 301-718-6366Email: [emailprotected]Website: niams.nih.gov

Find more information about osteoarthritis.

If you need more information about available resources in your language or another language, please visit our website or contact the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse.

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationToll free: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

National Institute on Aging

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

American College of Rheumatology

American Physical Therapy Association

Arthritis Foundation

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Living With Arthritis: Health Information Basics for You and Your ...

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This entry was posted on January 27, 2025 at 2:57 am and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |