Arthritis can interfere with your daily activities and put your career on hold. But at Passion Health Primary Care in Frisco, Irving, Seven Points / Kemp, or Plano, Texas, you can get help managing painful arthritis symptoms. Shyamala Arani Purushotham, MD, FACP, CPHQ, Pooka Naik, MD, and the team have years of experience managing chronic conditions. They take time to get to know each patient to offer the best care possible. No matter what your arthritis symptoms are, they can provide a customized treatment plan that gives you relief. Call the office today to get started on your arthritis treatment, or schedule an appointment online.

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in your body. Aging or autoimmune diseases often cause inflammation. Arthritis can be excruciating and may limit your mobility.

Symptoms of arthritis can include:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Joint swelling

You may have arthritis in just one area or several parts of your body. Arthritis is usually progressive, which means it gets worse over time. There is currently no cure for arthritis. But treatment at Passion Health Primary Care can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is not a single disease. Instead, there are over 100 different types of arthritis. But the most common form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis develops when the cartilage in your joints wears away.

Another common type of arthritis is known as rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis occurs when your body mistakenly attacks the tissue in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also causes the cartilage in your joints to weaken or erode.

Cartilage helps to cushion the bones in your joints. Without cartilage, bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, the affected joint can become severely damaged, and you may lose joint function without treatment.

Causes of arthritis include:

  • Aging
  • Obesity
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Joint infections
  • Joint injury

Your gender can also play a role. Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis. But men are more likely to develop other forms of arthritis, such as gout. Some types of arthritis can also run in families. Your provider can review your medical history to determine whether you’re at risk for developing arthritis.

How is arthritis treated?

Prescription medications treat most forms of arthritis. Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can help limit joint swelling. Your provider may also suggest pain medications to help control any discomfort.

Physical therapy can also help relieve painful arthritis symptoms. A skilled physical therapist can help you strengthen your muscles, increase your flexibility, and improve your range of motion. If you need physical therapy, the team provides referrals to top-quality physical therapists.

If medication and physical therapy aren’t successful, you may need surgery. Different forms of joint surgery can help restore some of your joint function. If you’re interested in exploring surgical treatments, the team can help you locate an orthopedic specialist.

Arthritis can affect your quality of life. But the right medical care can relieve joint pain and stiffness. Let the Passion Health Primary Care team help you manage your arthritis symptoms. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.