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Suggest Treatment For Body Stiffness, Hypertension And High Cholesterol
Question: I am a 74 yr old female in good health, no major problems that I know of. Take medication for hypertension and high cholesterol. My question is why does it seem that every joint in my body is so stiff and achy most of the day? It is especially so in early morning. I walk regularly every morning, briskly for 30-40 min. I have been doing stretching exercises every morning. Nothing seems to make a difference. YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
a form of arthritis, symptoms and tests would determine type and treatment
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints with associated pain/discomfort and stiffness.
There are different causes/types of arthritis . The most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is mainly due to wear and tear of the joints.
Rheumatoid is an inflammatory autoimmune (body reacting against itself) disease.
Both of these can cause the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed mainly by symptoms and x ray changes, though , in early stages there may be no x ray changes
Rheumatoid is diagnosed using a combination of symptoms, examination, blood tests and imaging.
Treatment of osteoarthritis involves mainly pain medication and physiotherapy.
Rheumatoid is also treated with pain killers but may progress to the point that stronger medication to suppress the immune system, is needed.
If your medication is not working for you, your doctor may need to suggest an alternative such as another member of this drug family eg arcoxia or adding a drug from another pain family such as the opiates- codeine, tramadol etc
Naproxen can potentially go to higher doses but this should be done along with your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
a form of arthritis, symptoms and tests would determine type and treatment
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints with associated pain/discomfort and stiffness.
There are different causes/types of arthritis . The most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is mainly due to wear and tear of the joints.
Rheumatoid is an inflammatory autoimmune (body reacting against itself) disease.
Both of these can cause the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed mainly by symptoms and x ray changes, though , in early stages there may be no x ray changes
Rheumatoid is diagnosed using a combination of symptoms, examination, blood tests and imaging.
Treatment of osteoarthritis involves mainly pain medication and physiotherapy.
Rheumatoid is also treated with pain killers but may progress to the point that stronger medication to suppress the immune system, is needed.
If your medication is not working for you, your doctor may need to suggest an alternative such as another member of this drug family eg arcoxia or adding a drug from another pain family such as the opiates- codeine, tramadol etc
Naproxen can potentially go to higher doses but this should be done along with your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it probably likely that because of my age (74) that it is osteoarthritis rather than rheumatoid arthritis ?
Brief Answer:
osteo is more likely
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, at your age, osteo is more likely
Please feel free to ask anything else
osteo is more likely
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, at your age, osteo is more likely
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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