World arthritis day

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Today is world arthritis day.

Arthritis is a very common ailment. And its a chronic one. So there are bound to be dissatisfaction with whatever mode of therapy you have been advised. Patients with arthritis move from pillar to post but a once for ever solution evades them.

Does this necessarily mean any alternative to your on going drug is going to be better?

Believe me, if you are an arthritis patients, that chronic ailments such as this open flood gates of opportunities in all countries - developed and developing alike. The modus-operandi of these proponents may be different. Those in the western hemisphere use the cyber route while the most primitive of these opportunists offer services by the road side in developing nations.

A typical dissatisfied patient in an oriental country might be fascinated by newer (read "faker") ways of treatment. He may also be tempted to search the net based knowledge as to what is relevant overseas.

In contrast a western counterpart sometimes decides to explore the mystic remedies himself: oriental medicine ought to have an answer!, so is his thought.

Sometimes such people travel east word to countries such as India or China.

Sadly, as I said in earlier posts wonder drugs do not exist here.

What can you do about this:

Where ever you are,

(1) Try to have confidence in the ability of your doctor, If you don't trust him, may be change your option.

(2) Go to a doctor who listens and answers ands not just "treats". Many of your unfounded worries can be addressed. Many unknown facts may also appear that you need to know about your illness.

(3) Don not replace the opinion of your doctor with that of a friend, relatives or a cyberconsultant or portal including this one. Treatment of arthritis is highly individualized.

(4) Look for a rheumatologsit (they are scarce in countries such as India) or a good physician.

(5) Let the doctor decide what is best for you: A parallel voice e.g. another patient describing his illness) is not for you.

(6) Don't be too scared when you come across a leaflet that describes the side effects of your medicine. You need to be aware of those symptoms so that you can report them to your treating doctor. This information is not for you to take a decision or to stop the medication.

(7) Most arthritic disorders typically have a morning stiffness due to overnight lack of activity. The answer to breaking it is in resuming the activity and not resigning to your pain.

(8) Drugs if indicated are to be taken so that you may avoid a deformity.

(9) Exercise is good and recommended but do not pick up something without the approval of your doctor.

(10) Be happy: Arthritis has psycho somatic factors - feeling down may worsen your suffering while being cheerful would help relieve the symptoms.

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