More than 50 million American adults live with arthritis, and while you may believe that arthritis is an inevitable part of aging, it’s often easily managed so you can lead a pain-free, active life. At Diagnostic Pain & Treatment Center in Tomball and The Woodlands, Texas, Raka Gohel, MD, a double board-certified pain management expert, offers customized treatments for arthritis. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
Arthritis is a collection of more than 100 diseases that cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in your joints. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of the disease. The condition develops as the cartilage that cushions your joints wears away, leaving the bones to rub together when you move. The resulting friction irritates your joints, causing pain and stiffness and reducing your mobility. Factors including your age, weight, and previous joint injuries contribute to your risk of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the synovial lining of your joints. The condition develops when your immune system attacks your synovium, causing inflammation and pain. Over time, your synovium thickens, and it stops producing sufficient amounts of the lubricating fluid in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects your hands, feet, elbows, knees, and ankles. It’s typically symmetrical, affecting both sides of your body.
Gout develops when deposits of uric acid crystals form in your joints. While gout can develop in any joint, it’s most often found in the joint of your big toe. Gout usually occurs in sudden attacks, with periods of remission in between.
Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines in the food you eat. Most of the time, your body eliminates uric acid through your urine, but if you eat a diet that’s rich in seafood, red meat, and other purine-rich foods, you may produce more uric acid than your body can process effectively.
If you have joint pain or swelling that interferes with your day-to-day life, you should make an appointment to talk to Dr. Gohel. You don’t need to accept joint pain as an inevitable part of aging. Often, with early treatment and lifestyle modifications, you can reduce your pain and lead a healthy, active, and pain-free life.
Dr. Gohel provides customized treatment plans to relieve your arthritis pain and restore your quality of life. Your arthritis pain management program may include a variety of treatments to offer effective relief including:
Also, Dr. Gohel may suggest different treatments depending on the type of arthritis causing your pain. For example, dietary changes can reduce your risk of gout attacks.
Call Diagnostic Pain & Treatment Center or make an appointment online today for effective, customized pain management treatments for arthritis.
