Dallas County Living Well Magazine November/December 2016 | Page 48

Arthritis…

Things you need to know

By Jill Wisdom
Arthritis in one form or another afflicts
66 million Americans or nearly 1 in
3 adults. Arthritis is defined as inflammation and swelling of the cartilage
and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase of fluid in
the joints.
There are many cases of arthritis. Hereditary tendencies, age, trauma or injury and infections can all lead to arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common
for and is often called degenerative
arthritis or “wear and tear” arthritis. It
generally has a gradual onset and usually causes a dull throbbing night time
pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most
serious and crippling form and usually affects more than a dozen smaller

joints. It is characterized with lengthy
morning stiffness, fatigue and weight
loss. Women are 3-4 times more likely
to suffer from RA than men and the disease results in joint deformity and loss
of motion. Gout is a type of metabolic
arthritis and is caused by a buildup of
uric acid in the joints. It can be caused
by problems in the kidney. It most often
affects the great toe joint but can also
affect the ankle and knee. It is characterized by acute intense pain without
a history of injury. Men are more often
affected and it is usually due to a diet
rich in red meats, sauces, shellfish, liquor and fatty foods.
Some of the symptoms of all forms of
arthritis are swelling in the joints, pain
or tenderness in the joints, redness or

heat in the joint, limitation of motion
and early morning stiffness. Early diagnosis is important because destruction of the cartilage is not reversible.
There are several treatments for arthritis which can be quite effective. Some
include physical therapy and exercise,
medications to prevent inflammation,
braces and supports to control motion
in the joints and finally surgical intervention if conservative treatment has
not been helpful in relieving the pain.
By working with your doctor, arthritis
is manageable. The key is to seek care
and follow up periodically to manage
your care with all of your doctors. You
do not have to live in pain.

The Hillcrest of North Dallas is a transitional care facility centrally located on Hillcrest Road just south of the George
Bush Turnpike. We are close to several hospitals including Baylor Regional Medical Center, Medical Center of Plano,
Methodist Richardson and Texas Health Presbyterian Plano. Our short-term rehabilitation services help bridge-thegap between the hospital and home allowing you to regain the skills needed to return to your independent lifestyle.
Our long term care services promote the physical and mental well-being of those we serve while assisting with all
the activities of daily living.
Some of our amenities include:
• Pre & Post-surgical care including IV therapy
• New state-of-the-art Therapy Gym
• 24 hour / 7 day RN staffing
• Private Medicare Suites
• Restaurant Style Dining Room service
• Hospice and Respite Care available
• Scheduled Activities 7 days a week
• Beautiful Courtyard and Gazebo

18648 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75252
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

46

DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016