关节炎

什么是关节炎?

The word arthritis is used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint or joints. Arthritis isn’t a single condition and there are several different types.

人们认为英国约有1000万人患有关节炎。它可能会影响各个年龄段的人,甚至会影响儿童和青少年。某些形式的关节炎在老年人中更常见。

如果您在几天后或关节或关节周围或关节周围疼痛,您应该去看医生。找出造成痛苦的原因是找到正确的治疗和自助选择的关键。

Although there’s no cure for arthritis, treatments have improved greatly in recent years and, for many types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory arthritis, there’s a clear benefit in starting treatment at an early stage.

可能很难说是什么原因引起了您的关节炎。有几个因素可以增加每种类型关节炎的风险。可能是您从父母或祖父母那里继承的基因使您更有可能患有关节炎。

关节炎可以通过造成疼痛并使其更加难以使生活变得艰难。关节炎的症状每周甚至每天都会有所不同。许多类型的骨关节炎和类风湿关节炎是长期疾病。

但是,通过正确的治疗和方法,您可以管理症状。

Whatever condition you have, remaining physically active will help you stay mobile and will be good for your general health.

什么是关节,它如何工作?

A healthy joint with no damage to the bone, cartilage or synovium.

A joint is where two or more bones meet, such as in the fingers, knees, and shoulders. Joints hold bones in place and allow them to move freely within limits.

Most of the joints in our body are surrounded by a strong capsule. The capsule is filled with a thick fluid that helps to lubricate the joint. These capsules hold our bones in place. They do this with the help of ligaments. These are a bit like very strong elastic bands.

关节内的骨头末端衬有软骨。这是一块光滑但坚韧的组织层,可以使骨骼在移动时彼此滑行。

如果我们想移动骨头,我们的大脑会向肌肉发出信号,然后拉出肌腱,并将其附着在骨头上。因此,肌肉在支撑关节方面具有重要作用。

Main types

Because there are several types of arthritis, it’s important to know which one you have. There are some similarities between these conditions, but there are also some key differences.

骨关节炎

最常见的关节炎类型是骨关节炎。It is estimated that around 8.75 million people in the UK have seen a doctor about osteoarthritis.

骨关节炎始于软骨的粗糙。

如果发生这种情况,人体可以进行“维修”过程,以弥补这种重要物质的损失。然后可能发生以下内容:

  • 小块的额外骨头(称为骨植物)可以在关节内的骨头末端生长。
  • 关节内部的厚流体量可能会增加。
  • The joint capsule can stretch, and the joint may lose its shape.

Sometimes, the early stages of osteoarthritis can happen without causing much pain or trouble. However, it can lead to damage inside a joint, as well as pain and stiffness.

骨关节炎在女性中更为常见,通常会影响45岁以上的人。身体最常见的部位是膝盖,手,臀部和背部。

Keeping active will help you maintain a healthy weight, and this will reduce the pressure on your joints. Doing regular exercise will keep muscles around a joint strong, and this will help to support and stabilise a joint affected by osteoarthritis.

超重会使您更有可能患上骨关节炎,并使情况变得更糟。

服用止痛药,例如扑热息痛和非甾体类抗炎药(NSAIDS),例如布洛芬,可以帮助减轻症状并让您保持活跃。保持活跃也会减轻疼痛,僵硬和肿胀。

There are NSAID creams that you can rub into the affected area. It might be an idea to try these first.

有多种可缓解疼痛的选择。如果您发现难以应对骨关节炎的疼痛,医生或物理治疗师将能够给您具体的建议。

如果您的骨关节炎变得严重,尤其是在膝盖和臀部中,您的医生可能会与您讨论手术的可能性。通常只有在您尝试所有其他治疗方案之后才考虑这一点。

联合替代者现在非常复杂且成功。

痛风和钙晶体疾病

痛风是一种炎症性关节炎,会导致关节疼痛肿胀。它通常会影响大脚趾,但也会影响体内其他关节。

Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may also look shiny and can peel.

它是由于体内的尿酸盐过多(也称为尿酸)引起的。我们的体内都有一定数量的尿酸盐。

However, being overweight or eating and drinking too much of certain types of food and alcoholic drinks can cause some people to have more urate in their bodies. The genes you inherit can make you more likely to develop gout.

如果达到高水平,尿酸盐会形成留在关节内和周围的晶体。他们可以在那里持续一段时间而不会造成任何问题,即使没有人意识到自己在那里。

敲打身体的一部分或发烧会导致晶体落入关节的软部分。这会导致疼痛和肿胀。

There are drugs that can reduce the amount of urate in the body and prevent gout attacks. Examples are别嘌醇febuxostat。如果您进行了痛风攻击,还需要减轻短期疼痛。Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)as well as paracetamol can be good drugs to try first.

男人可以从20多岁的时候获得痛风,而在女性中,更年期后更为普遍。服用水片可以增加痛风的风险。

There are also conditions that cause calcium crystals to form in and around joints.

我们所有人都需要钙使骨骼和牙齿结实。但是,某些人的身体可能具有太多的钙,然后可以作为关节周围的晶体形成。这可能导致疼痛肿胀。

钙晶体疾病倾向于自己清理。服用止痛药和NSAID,并涂上用湿毛巾包裹的冰袋,可以缓解疼痛和肿胀。

类风湿关节炎

类风湿关节炎是一种炎症性关节炎。这就是所谓的自动免疫条件。

The immune system is the body’s natural self-defence system, and it protects us from infections and illness. When someone has an auto-immune condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues, such as the joints, causing inflammation.

炎症通常是免疫系统中的重要工具。当人体将多余的血液和液体发送到某个区域以与感染作斗争时,就会发生这种情况。例如,这就是发生的事情,例如,如果您有被感染的切割,并且周围的皮肤会肿胀和不同的颜色。

然而,在类风湿关节炎中,关节中的炎症和额外的液体会引起以下问题:

  • 它可以使关节变得困难和痛苦。
  • 液中的化学物质会损害骨骼和未来nt.
  • The extra fluid can stretch the joint capsule. Whenever a joint capsule is stretched, it never quite returns to its original position.
  • 液体中的化学物质会刺激神经末端,这可能很痛苦。

As well as causing pain and stiffness, inflammation can cause permanent damage to a joint. Starting effective treatment early on can help to minimise damage.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can include:

  • 肿胀的关节
  • 早晨持续超过半小时的关节肿胀和僵硬
  • 严重的疲倦,也称为疲劳
  • 一种不适的普遍感觉。

类风湿关节炎通常从手和脚的小关节开始,并且可以同时影响身体两侧的相同关节。它的启动可能很慢,然后逐渐变得更糟,或者可以更积极地开始。

类风湿关节炎会影响任何年龄的成年人。它最常见于40至60岁之间的人中。在女性中,它比男性更为普遍。

有一些药物可以减慢过度活跃的免疫系统,从而减轻关节的疼痛和肿胀。这些被称为疾病改良的抗风湿药(DMARDS)和include biological therapies.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, treatment will start with conventional DMARDs. These can have the overall effect of reducing the activity of your immune system, which is overactive and causing damage to your body.

如果尝试过这些药物并且不起作用,医生将考虑尝试新的生物疗法的可能性。生物疗法对免疫系统具有更有针对性的影响。

Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is a word used to describe a number of conditions that cause pain and swelling, mainly around the joints of the spine.

在这种情况下,小块结缔组织的炎症,称为恩特斯。这些是坚硬的小绳子,可以将韧带或肌腱与骨骼结合在一起。

强直性脊柱炎

强直性脊柱炎是一种脊椎关节炎,会导致疼痛和肿胀,主要是在脊柱的关节周围。

在这种情况下,为了应对脊柱周围的炎症,人体可以产生更多的矿物钙。这种矿物通常被人体用来使骨骼结实。但是,在强直性脊柱炎中,额外的钙可以使脊柱的新骨骼生长,这会导致疼痛和僵硬。

这种情况通常会在晚上的后半段引起疼痛,而早晨持续超过半小时的背部肿胀。

有一些药物可以减慢此过程。保持活跃将有助于最大程度地减少脊柱的僵硬,同时保持良好的姿势将有助于防止脊柱弯曲。

强直性脊柱炎通常发生在20至30岁之间。它在男性中更为常见。

银屑病关节炎

银屑病关节炎是自动免疫条件。它也是一种脊椎关节炎。

The body’s immune system can cause painful swelling and stiffness within and around joints, as well as a red scaly skin rash called psoriasis. The rash can affect several places in the body, including the elbows, knees, back, buttocks and scalp.

It is also common to have severe tiredness, otherwise known as fatigue.

疾病修饰抗风湿药(DMARDS)和biological therapies can treat the cause of the inflammation in joints. There is also a variety of treatments, such as creams and medications, for psoriasis.

银屑病关节炎通常会影响已经患有牛皮癣的人。但是,有些人在牛皮癣之前发展了关节炎。可能患有关节炎,但根本没有牛皮癣。

这种情况会影响任何年龄的人,但往往会影响成年人。

少年特发性关节炎(JIA)

如果有人在16岁生日之前被诊断出患有炎症性关节炎,则称为juvenile idiopathic arthritis,或贾。

有不同类型的JIA。它们是自动免疫条件,免疫系统会导致关节疼痛和肿胀。

越早被诊断出患有JIA的人越好。这样就可以开始有效治疗并限制对身体的任何损害。

有一些可以治疗症状的药物,例如止痛药和非甾体类抗炎药(NSAIDS)。Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)生物疗法可以减慢或阻止关节炎,从而导致体内肿胀。

There are about 12,000 young people in the UK who have JIA.

我应该去看医生吗?

通常,您的肌肉和关节不时会疼痛和疼痛。如果您参加异常或剧烈的体育活动,这可能是正确的。

So, how can you tell the difference between the early signs of arthritis and normal pain and stiffness? And, how do you know when you should see a doctor about your symptoms?

If you have swelling or stiffness that you can’t explain and that doesn't go away in a few days, or if it becomes painful to touch your joints, you should see a doctor. The earlier you get a diagnosis and start the right type of treatment, the better the outcome will be.

以下是其他需要考虑的事情,可能有助于您决定是否需要去看医生:

症状的持久性

  • 疼痛是如何以及何时开始的?
  • If the pain came on after unusual exercise or activity you may have just overdone it a bit, and the pain should ease within a few days.
  • 如果疼痛与受伤无关,或者疼痛不会消失,请去看医生。

Swelling of joints

  • 如果关节肿胀,并且与受伤无关,您应该去看医生。
  • This is especially important if you’re also unwell or have a fever, or if the joint is red and warm.

Effects on your daily life

  • 如果您由于关节或肌肉疼痛而无法执行日常任务,请参阅医生或其他相关的医疗保健专业人员。
  • 例如,如果您抬起了沉重的东西并伤害了背部,请服用一些止痛药,施加一些热量并尝试保持活跃。如果几周左右后的疼痛没有缓解,请去看医生。

It’s important to see a doctor if you get any new symptoms or if you have any trouble with drugs you’re taking.

如果您与医生有预约,以确保您充分利用它,则可以随身携带一些问题,并在讨论时将其勾选。

You could also keep a symptoms diary with details of how you’re feeling in between appointments. Some people find that taking a friend or relative with them to an appointment can provide support and ensure that all important points are discussed.

其他症状与关节炎类似的疾病

还有许多其他条件会导致疼痛,并可能在关节内及其周围肿胀。

狼疮

狼疮是自动免疫条件。The immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues.

狼疮的症状可能很多。人体的心脏,肺部和其他器官可能受到影响。

关节疼痛和肿胀在狼疮中很常见,尤其是在手脚的小关节中。狼疮的关节疼痛可以从一个关节转移到另一个关节。

狼疮可能很难诊断,因为它可能引起许多不同的症状,通常看起来像其他疾病。

纤维肌痛

纤维肌痛is a long-term condition that can cause pain and tenderness all over the body.

Symptoms can be similar to arthritis. However, the symptoms are mainly in the muscles rather than the joints.

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

  • widespread pain
  • 睡眠困难
  • when you do get sleep, it can be unrefreshing
  • fatigue
  • 头痛
  • difficulty concentrating
  • 记忆不佳。

如果您患有纤维肌痛,则可能对疼痛或身体压力非常敏感。

多肌痛风湿病(PMR)

多肌痛风湿病(PMR)is a condition involving painful and stiff muscles. The hips, shoulders and thighs are commonly affected.

将双臂抬到头顶上可能是痛苦和困难的。早晨,疼痛和僵硬通常会更糟。其他症状包括一种普遍的不适和疲劳感。

它主要影响70岁以上的人。

一些患有多肌痛性风湿病的人会发展出一种称为giant cell arteritis(GCA)。这会影响头部的血管,并可能导致头部侧面的疼痛和压痛症状。

Giant cell arteritis can also cause pain in the tongue or jaw when chewing, and in rare cases problems with vision or even loss of vision. If you get any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor urgently. If left untreated, giant cell arteritis can lead to permanent damage to eyesight, even blindness.

Both polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis can be treated effectively withsteroids, normally tablets.

背疼

背疼is a common problem that affects many of us. It’s usually caused by a simple muscle or ligament strain and not usually by a serious problem. There might not even be a specific cause.

背痛通常会在几周内清除。

服用止痛药时保持活跃,通常是您能做的最好的事情。

肌腱病

肌腱病是一种肌腱,肌腱将肌肉固定在骨骼上的强绳是痛苦的。

The affected part of the body may be hot, swollen and red. This can make moving that part of the body difficult. You might also feel a grating sensation.

This can be caused by over-use of that part of the body. Stopping or altering the activity that caused the problem may be the first step to recovery.

一般保持活跃和服用止痛药也可以提供帮助。

Applying an ice pack, such as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, can also reduce pain and swelling.

管理症状

除了医疗治疗外,您还可以做很多事情来帮助自己管理关节炎。

如果您患有关节炎,您可能并不总是想锻炼身体。而且您可能会担心锻炼会使您的疼痛或状况恶化。

However,exercise可以使疼痛和肿胀等症状更好。情况有很多原因:

  • 您的肌肉会变得更强壮。这将为关节提供更好的支持。
  • 您的关节会变得柔软,并且不太可能变得僵硬。
  • 您的关节将能够保持其运动范围。
  • 运动可以改善您的整体健康和健身,并可以帮助您保持健康的体重。
  • 运动会导致体内称为内啡肽的化学物质。这些是由身体自然产生的止痛药。通过运动将它们释放到血液中会使您感觉良好。
  • 定期锻炼可以帮助您获得良好的睡眠,这可以帮助身体修复。

Type of exercise

人们通常会发现低影响运动是最好的。游泳,骑自行车,轻快步行,yoga, T’ai Chi, and Pilates are all examples of exercises that have helped people with arthritis. It’s good to find something you enjoy so that you keep doing it.

你可能会感到一些不适,有时疼痛when you exercise. This feeling is normal and should calm down a few minutes after you finish. It’s not a sign that you are hurting yourself. Exercise will help reduce pain and can help you manage your arthritis better.

While you can push yourself and do strenuous exercise, it’s important not to overdo it. If you are in pain that you can’t cope with during or after your activity, you will need to see a doctor. The key is to start off gently and to gradually increase the amount you do.

定期运动也是保持健康体重的重要组成部分。这将改善您的症状,因为它会减轻关节的压力。超重可以使某人更有可能患有炎症。

The best way to lose weight is to have a healthy, low-fat, low-sugar and balanced饮食。确保您有很多新鲜的水果和蔬菜,喝大量的水,并定期运动。如果您燃烧的卡路里比每天消耗的卡路里更多,那么您将减轻体重。

If you are ever struggling and need support or motivation to keep active, see a GP or physiotherapist.

If you can afford it, another option would be to have regular sessions with a personal fitness trainer at a gym. If you are able to find someone who is trained to personal trainer level two or above, they will be able to give you advice on the best exercises for you and can monitor your progress. Make sure you tell them about your condition.

了解您的病情

对您的病情有良好的了解将有助于您了解治疗选择,以及为什么锻炼和其他自我管理方法很重要。这也意味着您可以充分利用医疗保健专业人员的约会。

如果您曾经在控制关节炎的任何方面苦苦挣扎,或者注意到新症状,则应该看到GP。他们还可以将您推荐给另一位相关的医疗保健专业人员。

This could include a物理治疗师,受过训练可以帮助您进行运动,并帮助您维持受关节炎影响的身体任何部位的运动和功能。

或者,您可能会从看到一个职业治疗师。These are professionals who could help you overcome the difficulties that your condition might cause, by providing practical solutions.

您可以通过全科医生将您转介给NHS上的物理治疗师和职业治疗师。如果您在家中每天都在挣扎,则可以通过当地的社会服务部门获得职业治疗师。

或者,您可以通过以下网站搜索您附近的私人物理治疗师和职业治疗师:

未来对我来说会有什么?

很难确定关节炎会随着时间的流逝将如何影响您。在某些类型的关节炎中,可能会出现症状。

大多数关节炎患者没有重大的流动性问题,即使在更严重的情况下,有效的治疗也会有助于降低关节损害的风险。

There is plenty you can do to remain positive and proactive in all aspects of managing your arthritis and your overall health.

如果您担心关节炎会对​​您的工作生活产生什么影响,那么重要的是要知道您有权利和选择。

如果您工作,关节炎可能意味着您需要改变工作的各个方面,甚至需要培训不同的角色。

您的雇主有责任确保您的关节炎并不困难地完成工作,或者您对工作感到不舒服。与您的经理聊天,了解您的状况,如何影响您以及您的雇主如何能够为您提供帮助,这是释放法律权利的权利和支持的有用的第一步。

Being in pain from arthritis can often lead to anxiety and depression. It’s important to tackle feelings like this, because they can affect how well you manage your condition.

Talking to your partner, relative, friend, or a doctor can really help. You might find it helpful to try something like cognitive behaviour therapy, or mindfulness. These are talking therapies that have helped people cope better with the effects of arthritis.

如果您患有关节炎,它确实有可能影响您的生活质量。但是,通过正确的待遇,支持,知识和方法,您将能够过上充实,幸福和成功的生活。

The more you’re able to stay physically and socially active the more control you’ll have over your life, and the less control arthritis will have over you.