For many people, living with the constant aches and pains associated with arthritis can be an incredible burden. If you find yourself struggling to maintain basic mobility or get through the day without suffering for your attempts to complete basic tasks, seeking treatment from a rheumatologist can be a huge help. Unfortunately, many people are unsure about how their treatment will even begin.
Below, you'll find a guide to some questions you should be sure to ask your rheumatologist. Having this information in mind will guarantee that you can start a thorough and successful treatment program and will also put you in a position to be an active and engaged patient who can directly assist with making sure you receive the care you deserve.
Ask About Different Diagnoses
One common misconception about arthritis is that it's a standard disease without variation in its symptoms or treatment. What you may not be aware of, however, is that there are several kinds of arthritis, and each should be treated with its own special care and treatment plan.
The standard arthritis that many people associate with the elderly and limited mobility is known as osteoarthritis, but there are other versions as well. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are actually caused by your immune system turning against your joints, and they require specialized medication.
Ask About Alternative Treatments
Many people believe there isn't much that can be done for arthritis beyond general pain medication and joint replacement surgery. Modern medicine has, in fact, made terrific strides in developing alternative treatments that still provide substantial relief.
Some treatments, such as paraffin baths and topical creams, provide pain relief and a soothing effect that make managing your arthritis much easier. In other cases, holistic approaches such as yoga or other body flexibility regimens may be prescribed in order to promote a full body solution to pain that's localized and difficult to handle.
Ask About Your Diet
While you may not have considered the ways your diet impacts your joint health, the truth of the matter is that what you take in your body always has a significant impact on how that body operates. It's vital that you eat foods which are rich in omega acids that can help reduce inflammation and soothe joint pain. You should also be aware of your intake of uric acid, as it can promote flareups of gout that add pain and suffering to the life of an already struggling arthritis patient.
For more information, contact a local treatment clinic like Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates of South Jersey.
Share5 May 2015
