CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and the experts at Vista Healthcare’s Joint and Arthritis Center want to remind the millions of people affected by arthritis that they are not alone in their struggle.
Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that in the United States, 1 in 5 adults has arthritis that a doctor has diagnosed. Arthritis stands as the leading cause of disability in the U.S., impacting over 53.2 million individuals. While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common arthritis is osteoarthritis.
While there is no cure for arthritis, effective management and treatment are possible with the support of a skilled medical team.
Vista Healthcare Rheumatology delivers exceptional rheumatology services to Southern Utah, focusing on efficient and compassionate patient care within a welcoming atmosphere. Dr. Michael A. Grant, a rheumatology specialist, leads the team at Vista’s renowned Joint and Arthritis Center.
What exactly is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joints and other connective tissues.
Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News
Depending on the type of arthritis, symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over time. They can also come and go or persist.
Pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints are common symptoms for most types of arthritis.
How to prevent arthritis
Experts don’t know the causes of many forms of arthritis. However, we do know that gout is caused by too much uric acid in the body. Sometimes, specific infections can also cause arthritis.
You can reduce your risk of getting some types of arthritis by changing risk factors you can control. These include being overweight or obese, joint injuries and smoking.
How to improve your arthritis
Physical activity is a simple, effective, drug-free way to relieve arthritis pain. Nearly one-third of adults with arthritis are not physically active. Physical activity can help ease arthritis pain and morning stiffness, improve joint flexibility, reduce the probability of disability and improve mood.
Regular physical activity can do the following:
Help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness.
Give you more energy.
Lift your mood and make you feel more optimistic.
Stay as active as your health allows, and change your activity level depending on your arthritis symptoms.
Talk to your doctor if you have arthritis symptoms such as pain, stiffness or swelling in or around one or more of your joints. Doctors usually diagnose arthritis using the patient’s medical history, physical examination, X-rays and blood tests.
It is possible to have more than one form of arthritis simultaneously.
Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News
There are many forms of arthritis, and diagnosing your specific type can help your doctor determine the best treatment. The earlier you understand your arthritis, the earlier you can start managing your disease, reducing pain and making healthy lifestyle changes.
“These patients really get improvements from the therapies we give them, more so than in a lot of other medical fields,” Grant said. “Once we’re able to make a diagnosis, we can see the patient’s quality of life visibly improve.”
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for individuals with arthritis. For those who are overweight or obese, shedding excess pounds significantly alleviates stress on weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Even a modest weight loss of 10 to 12 pounds can decrease pain and enhance physical function for arthritis sufferers.
Engaging in low-impact, arthritis-friendly physical activities such as walking, along with adopting healthier dietary habits, can aid in weight loss at any age.
How to book an appointment with an arthritis specialist
Vista’s rheumatology department aims to find answers to your arthritis questions, manage your symptoms, reduce pain and increase your quality of life.
Booking an appointment with Vista Healthcare is simple. You can give them a call or visit their website.
Should you require specialty care that includes a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, pain management, spine care, physical therapy, chiropractic care or sports medicine, give Vista Healthcare a call at 435-879-7610 today or visit their website for more information. Vista Healthcare Rheumatology is located at 1490 E. Foremaster Drive, Suite 220, in St. George.
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Vista Healthcare | Address: 2891 E. Mall Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-215-0257 | Website.
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