Home Nursing Care For Arthritis

Home Nursing Care For Arthritis

Arthritis is a medical condition where one or multiple joints in the body become inflamed. Joints are the points where two bones meet each other like the knee or elbow. In most cases, arthritis leads to restricted movement and decreased quality of life. PlanCare’s home nursing care is best for arthritis patients where our panel of professionals will review your situation and work with you to put together a plan that both you and your family will be satisfied with. Then our completely experienced, licensed, and background-checked nurses will come to your house to help you. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis, but there are various other forms also.

 

Osteoarthritis:

This form of arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint gradually wears down over time. It often affects weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine. Osteoarthritis commonly develops due to age, joint injury, obesity, or repetitive stress on the joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

In contrast to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized as an autoimmune condition. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues lining the joints, leading to inflammation and joint damage. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect multiple joints simultaneously and may also involve other organs in the body.

 

Other Types of Arthritis:

Apart from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, there are various other types of arthritis including psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Each type has unique causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine.

Gout: occurs as flares, particularly in the big toe or lower limb.

Juvenile Idiopathic: this chronic type of arthritis is common in children.

Psoriatic Arthritis: it is associated with psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches)

 

Arthritis Symptoms:

The symptoms of arthritis differ based on its specific type.

This is why obtaining an accurate diagnosis holds significant importance,

• pain and swelling in the joints
• limited mobility in the joints
• the warm red skin of the affected joint
• weakness in muscle

 

Risk Factors for Arthritis:

There are various risk factors that increase the chances of developing arthritis like age, family history, previous joint injuries, obesity, certain occupations requiring repetitive joint movements, and certain infections or illnesses.

Infections:

Certain bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause joint inflammation leading to various forms of arthritis.

Joint Injury:

A significant joint injury such as a fracture, dislocation, or ligament tear, can increase the risk of developing arthritis in the affected joint. Joint injury-related arthritis is most common in athletes.

Metabolic Disorders:

Gout can cause arthritis. Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints leading to inflammation and severe pain.

Environmental Factors:

Exposure to certain environmental factors can increase the risk of developing arthritis. For instance, long-term exposure to cigarette smoke has been associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, occupational hazards such as repetitive joint movements or exposure to certain chemicals may contribute to the development of arthritis. It’s important to note that the exact causes of arthritis can vary depending on the specific type of arthritis. Different forms of arthritis have distinct underlying mechanisms and contributing factors.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing arthritis involves a combination of medical history, physical examinations, imaging tests (X-rays, MRIs), and laboratory tests (blood tests, joint fluid analysis) to assess joint damage, and inflammation, and rule out other conditions.

 

Arthritis Treatment:

While arthritis is not curable, various treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.

These may include medications (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs), physical therapy, occupational therapy, lifestyle modifications (exercise, weight management), assistive devices (splints, braces), and in some cases, surgery.

Medications:

PlanCare’s qualified and trained nurses assist the arthritis patient to comply with the course of treatment. Mainly pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDS provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation.

Physical Therapy:

PlanCare has physiotherapists in their team who are licensed, trained, skilled, and specialized in their domain and are readily available to attend to all your patient’s needs. Home care nursing helps improve joint function and reduce pain through exercises and techniques tailored to the individual’s needs. This includes range-of-motion exercises, strengthening exercises and low-impact aerobics activities. Physical therapists also provide education on joint protection techniques and assistive devices.

Lifestyle Modification:

Home Nursing Care helps patients with lifestyle changes. It can have a significant impact on managing arthritis. PlanCare provides qualified and trained nurses who help the patient in maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise to decrease joint stress. Moreover, Inflammation can be reduced by taking an anti-inflammatory diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids. Nurses also assist in exercise that aids in increasing joint flexibility and strength.

Assistive Devices:

PlanCare also has the facility of providing assistive devices like braces, splints, etc. by the help of which joint tension can be increased and mobility can be increased.

Surgery:  

Joint replacement surgery may be needed to treat severe arthritis to reduce discomfort and restore joint function. In certain cases, surgical techniques such as joint fusion may also be taken into account.

 

Home Nursing Care and Coping Strategies:

Individuals with arthritis can adopt Home nursing care for managing the symptoms of arthritis. PlanCare offers the best nursing care nursing at your doorstep. Our skilled and experienced nurses can assist you in recovering from persistent pain in joints or sports injury by managing pain and inflammation with hot or cold therapy, practicing gentle exercises to improve joint flexibility and strength, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough rest and sleep and seeking support medical professionals if needed.

Conclusion:

Arthritis is a common medical ailment that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Understanding its primary causes, symptoms, and available treatment options is crucial for managing the condition effectively. By promoting awareness and investing in research, we can strive to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with arthritis and work towards finding better ways to prevent and treat this debilitating ailment.

To book our services visit our website plancare.com or call us at 0304 1111949.