What is arthritis?
Inflammation of the joints, causing them to be stiff and painful, is commonly known as arthritis. It’s a very widespread condition that afflicts no less than 10 million people across the UK. Although it’s commonly associated with the elderly, arthritis can occur in people of all ages, including children.
Common symptoms include sore joints, muscle loss, inhibited movement, poor fine motor manipulation in the hands and digits, and warm, red skin over the main joints.
Due to just how prevalent the condition is, there are many variations of it. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The former is by far the most prevalent, and usually occurs to people in their 40s or 50s, particularly women. This form of arthritis is caused when the cartilage in the joints becomes thin and ragged, forcing tendons and ligaments to work harder. This causes the joints to swell and become sensitive, causing swelling and bony spurs called osteophytes.
In extreme cases, the cartilage can wear out completely. This causes bone to rub against bone, leading to great discomfort, malformed joints, or even causing the joints to pop from their sockets completely.
Rheumatoid arthritis, meanwhile, afflicts 400,000 people in their 40s-50s. Like osteoarthritis, its prevalent in women. In this instance, the break down in joints is caused by the immune system targeting them, causing swelling and soreness. Eventually, this may cause the joint and cartilage to break down. It can also cause issues with other organs in the body.
Home care support for arthritis
Depending on the severity of the condition, some people can live completely normal lives with arthritis. Others, though, struggle with even the simplest tasks. SuperCarers helps families to find care providers for those requiring arthritis care.
While no cure exists for arthritis, that does not stop treatment and other methods to keep up a high quality of living.
A care provider can arrange home carers, for example, that can help you around the house and support you in your routine. With their help, people with arthritis can continue live in their homes independently.
If a person with arthritis should start to find tasks difficult, such as dressing themselves, moving independently, or keeping themselves and their home clean, then a carer is essential to prevent further deterioration of their surroundings and their health.
Nobody likes the realisation that they can no longer fully look after themselves, and the change can be unsettling to say the least. A care provider should do their best to assist you to do tasks wherever possible to maintain your dignity and self-worth.
Submit a care enquiry and we can help you look for a provider.
Arthritis resources
If you or a family member should be suffering from arthritis, whatever the type, you will find many reliable sources of information to help you. Start off with the NHS website, and from there visit:
