Rheumatoid Arthritis: NHS on common signs and symptoms
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Now a new experiment is being undertaken on 120 individuals that could provide an unusual pathway out of pain.
A trial being undertaken is looking to see if a single injection of cells from abdominal fat into your sore joints could ease the pain.
The reason behind the trial is because body fat contains a number of stem cells that can turn into different types of cells, which can be of use around the body.
While this sounds encouraging, there is very little definitive evidence that the treatment is effective.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis, says the NHS, are:
• Joint tenderness
• Increased pain and stiffness
• Joints appearing slightly larger
• A cracking sound or sensation in your joints
• Limited range of movement in your joints
• Weakness and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk).
The severity of arthritis varies from person to person.
Some people may have symptoms that are mild and come and go, while others may have more severe symptoms that make it more difficult to carry out everyday tasks.
The condition is most often found in the hips, knees and small joints of the hands.
In your hands, osteoarthritis normally affects three main areas of your hand:
• The base of your thumb
• The joints closest to your fingertips
• The middle joints of your fingers.
The NHS says that you should see a GP if you have persistent symptoms of the condition.
At the moment, there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, it is a chronic condition.
There are three main areas of treatment.
The first is lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Exercise keeps you active, builds up muscle and strengthens your joints.
The second is medication; this will help relieve some of the pain you’re suffering as a result of the arthritis.
Supportive therapies, including nerve stimulation, are also used to help ease pain by numbing the nerve endings.
This sort of treatment is usually arranged by a physiotherapist or doctor who can help advise you on treatment.
If you have any issues or concerns relating to osteoarthritis contact your GP and have a discussion.
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