Main Page «
Front Page «
Metro «
Business «
International «
Sports «
National «
Editorial «
Op-Ed «
Home «
Timeout «
Letters «

Archive «
Launch Supplement «
Special Supplements «

Arthritis simply means a painful condition of the joints. There are different types of the disease - many inflammatory and others more degenerative in nature.
   Rheumatoid arthritis often starts with pain in the joints of the hands, especially in the knuckles, and often both hands simultaneously.
   Arthritis may be preceded or accompanied by a period of fatigue and a feeling of weakness. Pain in the joints almost always begins in the hands, especially in the knuckles, and often in both hands simultaneously, as in the case of one of the commonest types called rheumatoid arthritis.
   * Because of the inflammatory reaction, the joints swell and become red, stiff and sore.
   * There can be periods of improvement which may be followed by a relapse.
   Arthritis can affect all joints in the body, and it is impossible to predict which or how many joints will be attacked.
   
   Who is at special risk?
   We do not know the cause of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis the theory that it is triggered by an infection has never been proved. It may be partly hereditary and it occurs three times as often in women as in men. All age groups can develop arthritis - even children - but usually rheumatoid arthritis appears between the ages of 30 and 35.
   
   What causes arthritis?
   The cause or causes of arthritis are not yet known. Many sufferers say that damp or humid weather make their symptoms worse, but climate isn’t the cause as such. Arthritis is indiscriminate and affects people regardless of climate, sex, age and race.
   The condition does appear to run in families, which suggests there’s a genetic link. It’s thought that genetics coupled with a variety of environmental factors may trigger the disease in people who are prone to it.
   
   The symptoms
   There are many types of arthritis; which one you have will determine your particular symptoms. But, generally speaking, symptoms include pain in the joints, stiffness and fatigue. The severity of your symptoms may be different to that of another sufferer.
   
   Common types of arthritis
   * Osteoarthritis
   * Rheumatoid arthritis
   * Ankylosing spondylitis
   * Cervical spondylosis
   * Gout.
   Osteoarthritis
   There are about 200 different kinds of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis), where the cartilage that protects the bones gets worn away. This makes joints stiff, painful and creaky. About 5 million people in the UK suffer with osteoarthritis.
   Osteoarthritis is often caused by normal wear and tear of the joints, so it usually occurs as people get older and the protective joint cartilage is worn away. However, younger people also suffer with it, often because of an accident or sports injury where a joint has been placed under unnatural strain.
   
   Rheumatoid arthritis
   Rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory arthritis, is a more severe but less common condition. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the joint lining, making the joints painful, unstable and deformed. This type of arthritis tends to affect younger people and is more common in women than in men. It affects about one in 100 people.
   
   Ankylosing spondylitis
   Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a condition where the spine becomes inflamed and stiff, causing it to lose its normal shape. Sometimes it affects other joints in the body, such as the hips, knees and ankles. AS may cause lower back pain that may spread and be felt in the buttocks and thighs, lower back stiffness, tiredness, weight loss and a mild fever.
   Pain and stiffness are usually worse early in the morning and after resting but improve with exercise as the day progresses. Because the spine loses its normal shape, people may find their back becomes bent forward. This can make walking and moving around painful and difficult.
   
   Gout
   Gout, otherwise known as podagra or uric acid arthropathy is a rheumatic complaint, that usually attacks a single joint at a time. The disease has a preference for the big toe of middle-aged men - it swells, turns red and becomes sore.
   The soreness is such that just walking through a room can cause severe pain. It is more common in men than women by a factor of 10 to 1.
   Prior to the onset of symptoms of gout, there is usually a latent period of several years in which the concentration of uric acid in the blood has gradually increased. This condition is called asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. Some 95 per cent of the people with this condition never develop gout.
   Treatment is concentrated on three areas:
   * During the actual attack the most important thing is to soothe the pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ordinary analgesics like paracetamol will not relieve the pain, and aspirin must not be used). Colchicine is used to relieve the pain in people who cannot take NSAIDs.
   * Once the attack has passed, you are offered preventive treatment, usually with allopurinol, which will reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. The preventive treatment can - if it is used during an active attack of gout - actually aggravate an attack, because it causes a large quantity of uric acid to be released at the same time.
   * Finally it is important to change your lifestyle, as described above.
   How is arthritis treated?
   The disease is unpredictable and the treatment difficult. But today there are several medical remedies which can both ease the pain and slow down the spread of the disease and the damage it causes.
   * The medicine must be adjusted from time to time, which means it is important to visit your doctor regularly.
   * The treatment of arthritis takes great experience, since it never develops in the same way from one person to the next. It often needs to be treated by a specialist.
   * Surgery can be offered if permanent deformation of the joints develops despite medication and physiotherapy treatment.
   
   Future prospects
   There is no standard treatment for arthritis. Some doctors may recommend a diet but there is no evidence that dietary changes alone can ease or stop the development of arthritis.
   It is important for patients with arthritis to obtain help to keep the muscles and joints active and to be supported in leading a normal life. Physiotherapists who are trained to maintain a patient’s physical ability and relieve pain, and occupational therapists who assess physical ability and provide help and advice including aids, play a large part in making life bearable for arthritis sufferers.
   During recent years, there has been great progress in the treatment of arthritis particularly with the use of artificial joints. Some people still have to live with the discomfort of the disease as not all joints can be replaced surgically.
   — Internet

The importance of following hygiene advice strictly cannot be emphasised enough. Even a piped water supply deemed safe at its source may not be so, by the time it reaches the tap.
   Don’t drink water directly from the tap in areas where sanitation is poor. Use a recognised brand of sealed, bottled water to drink, clean teeth and wash wounds - and make sure it’s opened in your presence.
   Remember that bottles can be refilled. Carbonated water is unlikely to have been refilled from the tap. Avoid ice in drinks.
   You can sterilise water by boiling it, though this may not be practical. A small portable boiling element can be brought along for the purpose but would need to be compatible with the local electricity supply. Some hotels will supply boiled water.
   Water purification units are also available but their effectiveness varies so make sure you get advice and treat manuacturer’s claims with a degree of healthy scepticism.
   Remember that water-related infections can also be a risk if swimming - or from eating fish or seafood which has been in contaminated water.
   Always wash your hands before handling food or drink.
   In high-risk areas avoid seafood, raw vegetables, salads, ice-cream, undercooked meat or fish, unpasteurised milk, cheese, sauces and dressings - and any food that’s been served at room temperature. Where sanitary conditions are poor, fresh food should always be assumed to be contaminated.
   If you have diarrhoea then avoid dairy and milk products and alcohol. Use oral rehydration powders (these should be in your first aid kit!). If the diarrhoea persists - and especially if you have blood in your stools or severe pain - then you must seek medical assistance.
   —BBC Health

A properly adjusted chair will reduce the strain that you put on your back. You should be able to alter the height, back position and tilt of your chair. Try and ensure that your knees are level with your hips.
   In order to prevent back injury, you should be sitting up straight while at your desk. If your chair isn’t providing enough back support, try using a rolled up towel or cushion until you find a position that’s comfortable for you - then adjust the chair accordingly.
   Now that you’ve got your chair correctly positioned, take a look at your feet. Are they flat on the floor? If not, you may want to consider getting a footrest. This will relieve any pressure on your joints and muscles. It’s important that you avoid crossing your legs or sitting with one (or both) legs twisted beneath you.
   
   Check the position of your monitor
   Now that you’re sitting comfortably you need to take a look at the positioning of your pc. Guidelines suggest that the monitor should be positioned approximately 12-30 inches away from your eyes.
   A good guide to positioning is to place the monitor about an arm’s length away. The top of the screen should be roughly at eye level. In order to achieve this position you may need to get a stand for your monitor.
   This doesn’t need to be anything fancy - a pile of books will help to elevate the screen to the required position.
   Screen reflection and glare
   Ideally your pc screen should be as glare-free as possible. This may mean positioning the monitor so that overhead lighting and sunlight are not reflecting on your screen. Try positioning the monitor so that it is at right-angles to the window.
   Experiment with your monitor until you find the best position. You may need to move your desk slightly or close the blinds. If glare continues to be a problem, try using an anti-glare screen. You should also experiment with the screen settings on your monitor. Adjusting the brightness or contrast could make a big difference.
   —BBC Health