Sudden ArthritisNatural and Medical Sudden Onset Arthritis TreatmentsPatients with degenerative types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, typically experience a gradual onset of joint pain and stiffness. Acute forms of arthritis, however, develop suddenly. The rapid onset of joint-related symptoms proves a distinguishing characteristic of these arthritic illnesses. Early arthritis symptoms can be vague and confusing, but they are important to recognize. Newly diagnosed arthritis patients quickly realize that early symptoms are just the first layer to be uncovered before a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan can be established.
Causes of Sudden Arthritis Pain The various forms of sudden arthritis frequently involve an infectious process. Acute septic arthritis is an infection of a joint, usually caused by bacteria. Infecting bacteria may enter the joint directly through a traumatic injury or surgery. Alternatively, a bacterial infection at another body site may spread to a joint through the bloodstream. Acute septic arthritis affects a single joint in approximately 80 percent of cases, reports the patient information website eOrthopod. The joints most commonly affected include the knees, hips and shoulders. Acute septic arthritis typically presents with the sudden onset of severe pain in the affected joint, which intensifies with movement. The area swells, reddens and feels warm to the touch. Other possible symptoms include fever and a generalized feeling of illness, or malaise. Approximately 50 percent of cases of septic arthritis occur in patients older than age 60, notes eOrthopod. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, cancer, diabetes mellitus and those with a weakened immune system prove at increased risk for acute septic arthritis. Treatment typically involves an extended course of antibiotic therapy. Reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome, is an acute form of arthritis triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body. The condition most commonly arises in conjunction with a genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or an intestinal infection caused by campylobacter, yersinia, salmonella or shigella bacteria, reports "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Arthritic symptoms associated with Reiter's syndrome typically present approximately two to six weeks after the bacterial infection, notes the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Reactive arthritis can affect one or several joints, commonly involving the knees, ankles and feet. Pain ranges from mild to severe. Inflammation of one or more tendons also proves common with Reiter's syndrome. Eye inflammation and skin rashes or ulcers may occur. Acute reactive arthritis develops more commonly in men than in women. Lyme disease--a bacterial infection cause by a bite from an infected tick--may lead to sudden, episodic bouts of arthritic joint pain if the illness becomes chronic, reports microbiologist Kenneth Todar, Ph.D., in "Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology." Pain episodes commonly involve the knees or other large joints of the body. The arthritic episodes generally prove brief and usually do not cause permanent joint damage. The arthritis characteristically migrates, that is, it moves from one joint to another with each pain episode. In some patients, arthritis symptoms persist after completion of antibiotic therapy, reports the National Library of Medicine encyclopedia MedlinePlus. There are numerous natural and homeopathic solutions to arthritis back pain. Major Types of Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis. The joints are primarily affected, but there can be systemic effects (i.e. organs) as well. Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, involvement of the small bones of the hands and feet, extreme fatigue, rheumatoid nodules, and symmetrical joint involvement (i.e. both knees not one knee) are all characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis predominantly affects the joints, unlike other types of arthritis which may have systemic effects. The most common symptom associated with osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint after repeated use. Joint pain is often worse later in the day. The affected joints can swell, feel warm, and become stiff after prolonged inactivity. Osteoarthritis can occur with other forms of arthritis simultaneously. Bone spurs and bony enlargements are also characteristic of osteoarthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis associated with psoriasis (a skin condition characterized by red, patchy, raised or scaly areas) and chronic joint symptoms. The symptoms of psoriasis and joint inflammation often develop separately. Symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis vary in how they occur (i.e. symmetrical or asymmetrical) and what joints are affected. Any joint in the body can be affected. When psoriasis causes pitting and thickened or discolored fingernails, the joints nearest the fingertips are likely to become arthritic. Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is commonly associated with inflammation which starts at the lower spine or sacroiliac joints. The earliest symptoms are often chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back region and hips. Typical ankylosing spondylitis pain in the back worsens following rest or inactivity. As symptoms of pain and stiffness progress up the spine to the neck, possibly including the rib cage area, bones may fuse. Lupus Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and other organs of the body. It is not uncommon for symptoms associated with lupus to resemble symptoms associated with other types of arthritis and rheumatic disease, making lupus difficult to diagnose. A butterfly-shaped rash appearing on the cheeks and over the bridge of the nose (malar rash) is just one of the distinguishing characterisitics of lupus. Gout Gout is considered one of the most intensely painful types of arthritis. Gout is characterized by sudden onset of severe pain, tenderness, warmth, redness, and swelling from inflammation of the affected joint. Gout usually affects a single joint and most often the big toe is affected. The knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, and elbow may also be affected. Shoulders, hips, and spine may eventually be affected by gout, but rarely. Often the first gout attack occurs at night. There are other types of arthritis and joint inflammation conditions to consider as well:
Here are a few sudden arthritis home remedies you can try out if you have sudden arthritis symptoms: Massages and oils: some patients turn to a variety of oils with which they massage affected areas. Olive oil is often combined with other oils or herbs like garlic, rosemary, sage and thyme to create a liniment. Hot vinegar, massaged into aching joints, is also said to relive pain, and most advise to do this just before bed. Aside from massages with oils, some patients find relief in steam baths, or warm baths, which help relieve swelling and pain. Cold water treatments are to be avoided, however, as these can actually aggravate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Supplements: A number of patients also turn to vitamins and other supplements to ease their pain. Calcium, zinc and vitamin C are the most commonly recommended supplements. Alternatively, some companies offer fish oil capsules with omega-3 and other fatty acids to relieve symptoms. Vegetables and Juices: a diet that consists of vegetables and juices is also said to help reduce pain in the long run. Fruit juices like pineapple, cherry or lemon are advised, as well as vegetable juices like celery, green barley and aloe vera. Some vegetables can, however, contribute to arthritis pain, and should be avoided. Among these are tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants, as well as lentils and other beans. There remains a wide range of sudden arthritis natural remedies that are usable at home and available for those who are suffering from this life-changing disease. Many of them provide significant relief for pain, and most times this is enough for the patient to live a more normal life, despite being afflicted with the disease. And to find out much more check out this free mini-course on natural cures for arthritis sufferers by clicking this link: Arthritis Natural Remedies |
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