Many people believe that arthritis is one of those things you just have to suffer through as you age. The Arthritis Foundation defines arthritis as a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders consisting of more than 100 different diseases or conditions that can affect people of all ages, races and genders. There are many forms of arthritis but there are two common types that affect adults.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease, and the National Institutes of Health notes that it can cause pain, swelling and reduced motion in the joints. It can happen anywhere in the body but most frequently occurs in the hands, knees, hips and spine.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is a major sponsor of WellCommons.

This type of arthritis happens when the cartilage between the bones breaks down. Cartilage is the shock absorber in the joints and when it is gone, bones can rub together. This can cause a lot of pain, and over time can cause permanent damage to the joint. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:

• Being overweight
• Getting older
• Injuring a joint

The other common form for adults is rheumatoid arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation characterizes it as a systemic disease of the immune system that causes inflammation of the membranes lining the joint, which results in pain, stiffness, warmth, swelling and sometimes severe joint damage. Over time this disease can wear away the cartilage and erode bone, causing a lack of function and mobility.

Rather than a single disease with a one-size-fits-all treatment, some researchers believe that rheumatoid arthritis may actually be a collection of diseases. Read more about this at arthritistoday.org.

How to treat arthritis

There are a number of possible treatments for arthritis. People can explore natural remedies, medications and surgical options for treatment.

Natural remedies can include exercise, supplements or herbs, acupuncture, heat or massage therapy and using meditation or relaxation techniques. These are often used in conjunction with other treatments.

There are hundreds of medications that can be used for arthritis. They include pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and drugs that treat inflammation in joints. Those with arthritis may also be prescribed disease-modifying drugs, those that stop or slow the disease process or drugs called biologics. These are genetically engineered medications that control the immune response.

As far as surgery is concerned, the most common surgical interventions used to treat arthritis are joint surgeries. These surgeries often help to relieve pain, improve function and restore mobility.

Because there are a variety of ways to treat arthritis it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about which one is best for you. To learn more about how to live with arthritis, attend the Senior Supper and Seminar, “The Art of Living with Arthritis,” at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Supper is at 5 p.m. and the presentation is at 6 p.m.

The seminar is presented by occupational therapist Tamra Councilman, OTR, LMH Therapy Services, who will discuss the non-medical management of arthritis symptoms and how to live day-to-day life more effectively, even with arthritis.

Each month, LMH Community Education and LMH Dining Services (Unidine) presents a healthy three-course supper and a health seminar, presented by a local health expert. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for the meal, which costs $5.50. The seminar is free. Seating is limited. Call 785-749-5800 to reserve your space.

Aynsley Anderson, MA, RN, is Community Education Coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, a major sponsor of WellCommons. She can be reached at aynsley.anderson@lmh.org.