Two completely different afflictions, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia affect millions worldwide. Although the two are separate in origin, sufferers of both live with near constant aches and pains and seek relief by any means possible. While there currently is no known cure for either condition, progress has been made in understanding, living with and managing the diseases.
Osteoarthritis
According to Medicine.net, over 20 million people have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis known. The pain associated with the disease is attributed to the loss of articulating cartilage that covers the ends of intersecting, highly movable bones (i.e. knee joints). As the cartilage wears away, the friction caused by the rubbing of bone on bone causes pain and edema (swelling) in the joint structures.
Osteoarthritis affects mobility greatly, as it is most commonly found in the feet, the spine, hands and knees---the most-used joints in the body. Depending on the progress of the disease, sufferers often are encouraged to lose weight (if it applies), as the reduced weight alleviates joint stress. Regular exercise is prescribed to keep the joint moving, although light activities are preferred. Swimming or water aerobics are popular since the buoyancy of the water decreases joint strain from gravity.
Other treatments depend on the area affected: paraffin wax treatment for hands reduces swelling, while back braces and corsets compress the spine and relieve symptoms. For all sufferers, typical over-the-counter pain relievers and both steroidal and non-steroidal creams and steroid injections have a proven track record in helping ease osteoarthritis pain.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is an auto-immune disease similar to arthritis, but doctors remain unsure of its causes. Besides chronic pain, the disease also features marked insomnia, restlessness and depressive periods, among other symptoms. Fibro varies greatly from osteoarthritis (or any arthritis) because the pain isn't accompanied by any swelling or inflammation. Doctors understand that the patient's central nervous system never "shuts off" from pain sensations, leaving the sufferer in a near constant state of pain although no painful stimulus is detected.
The most effective treatment combination seems to be regular exercise to help with stress reduction, along with regular medications and educating the patient on the disease. Typical meds for fibro include popular anti-depressives that reduce fatigue caused by the insomnia by allowing for deeper REM sleep. Lyrica, the first medication created specifically to treat fibro, works by inhibiting neural pain receptors in the pain, thus dulling the sensation. Other methods such as acupuncture have been just as successful in dealing with fibro pain as steroid injections.
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