Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of conditions characterized by pain, inflammation and damage to the joints. There are different forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and others. Different types have different causes and different treatment so it is important to turn to your medical provider for a proper diagnosis if you think you may have arthritis.
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion estimates that more than 46 million U.S. adults (just over 1 in 5) have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis.
According to a review of health care utilization data at MSU done by Thomson Reuters, MSU spent more than 2.9 million dollars on medical treatment related to Osteoarthritis alone in fiscal year 2007-08 – making it the most costly condition for that period.
Getting appropriate maintenance care and following your medical teams medication and lifestyle recommendations can help people with arthritis manage the pain of the condition and sometimes even slow its progression. If you have arthritis, it is important to learn as much as you can about your condition and work with your medical team to develop a plan for managing it that is right for you.
You can find a great deal of useful information on the National Institutes of Health Web site about arthritis.
If you have arthritis, your medical team may suggest certain lifestyle changes that can help your joints such as weight loss, a tailored exercise program and regular stretching. Your medical treatment plan may also include medications. Discuss medication needs with your doctor and be sure to ask such questions as:
- what the drug can and can’t do for you
- what the potential harmful side effects might be
- whether there is sound research supporting its use for the type of arthritis you have
You can find information about studies performed on the effectiveness of various osteoarthritis pain medications on the Web site operated by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The information at this site is detailed and prepared for a medical audience and may be difficult for lay people to understand. As always, talk with your own medical team about information you read online before making any decisions about your health care.
