“I have arthritis.”
According to the CDC, over 32.5 million Americans are feeling aches and pains in their hands, knees, hips, neck, lower back, and other joints caused by osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage between bones deteriorates and causes stiffness and pain in the joints.
But other lesser-known forms of arthritis cause aching, inflamed, and stiff joints and those include rheumatoid, psoriatic, gouty, ankylosing spondylitis, and lupus, to name a few.
During Arthritis Awareness in May, TwelveStone would like to share what patients living with these conditions can do to improve their lives.
Understanding Arthritis
Let’s begin by understanding some of the different types of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease mainly affecting joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its tissues. The disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis linked with psoriasis, a chronic skin and nail disease. Psoriasis causes red, scaly rashes and thick, pitted fingernails. Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in symptoms and joint swelling (inflammation). But it tends to affect fewer joints than RA.
Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is very painful. It usually affects one joint at a time (often the big toe joint). There are times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when there are no symptoms, known as remission.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body, also called widespread pain. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia also causes sleep problems, fatigue, and emotional and mental distress.
Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondylarthritis, is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.
Lupus occurs when the immune system, which helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and, in some cases, permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread—affecting the skin, joints, heart, lung, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.
Arthritis Infusion Therapy
Without a doubt, arthritis in any form is painful and can interrupt daily living, making some activities difficult or impossible. Your physician may recommend NSAIDs to combat the pain, and infusion therapies, such as CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol), SIMPONI ARIA® (golimumab), or REMICADE® (infliximab).
While arthritis can be excruciating, TwelveStone Health Partners strives to make your infusion treatments as comfortable as possible. Our state-of-the-art infusion centers provide a comforting and relaxing setting that will make you feel like you’re at home: recliner chairs, blankets, pillows, snacks, Wi-Fi, and television are offered to every patient. We believe that your infusion treatment should be as relaxing as possible.
But more than that, all arthritis infusion treatments are administered under strict safety protocols. Our patients also have direct access to pharmacists who specialize in managing complex medication regimens associated with chronic conditions like arthritis. We also provide support services such as nutrition counseling and physical therapy to help our arthritis infusion therapy patients maintain their overall health and well-being.
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
