What is an Arthritis
Arthritis means joint pain. It can also mean joint disease.
A joint is a place where bones come together. People who have arthritis may have:
- Red joints.
- Swollen joints.
- Stiff joints.
- Warm joints.
- A fever.
- A feeling of being sick.
Follow these instructions at home:
Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms. Take these actions to help with your pain and swelling.
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- Do nottake aspirin for pain if your doctor says that you may have gout.
Activity
- Rest your joint if your doctor tells you to.
- Avoid activities that make the pain worse.
- Exercise
your joint regularly as told by your doctor. Try doing exercises like:
- Swimming.
- Water aerobics.
- Biking.
- Walking.
Joint Care
- If your joint is swollen, keep it raised (elevated) if told by your doctor.
- If your joint feels stiff in the morning, try taking a warm shower.
- If you have diabetes, do notapply heat without asking your doctor.
- If
told, apply heat to the joint:
- Put a towel between the joint and the hot pack or heating pad.
- Leave the heat on the area for 20–30 minutes.
- If
told, apply ice to the joint:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor.
Contact a doctor if:
- The pain gets worse.
- You have a fever.
Get help right away if:
- You have very bad pain in your joint.
- You have swelling in your joint.
- Your joint is red.
- Many joints become painful and swollen.
- You have very bad back pain.
- Your leg is very weak.
- You cannot control your pee (urine) or poop (stool).
