Drugs Used in Disorders of the Joints

During the evolution process the human being evolved from a four-legged to a two legged being. We have to pay a price of it. The entire weight of our body now rests on two legs instead off our and the knees take the weight of the whole body and are more strained. Exercise keep joints lubricated for their mobility. However, nowadays there is hardly any time to do the exercises. The physical activities have reduced and one feels lazy to go for morning walk specially after a late night on the previous day. A few decades ago there were only a few cars and one had to walk a distance to fulfil his daily needs. There were no lifts or escalators. Drive-in restaurants, cinemas, cable and satellite channels were non-existent. There was enough physical activity to keep the joints moving.

We are also paying a price of our changed life style. The Indian style toilets made us to sit in squatting position gave enough exercise to our knees. Our mother cooked the food on wood fire sitting on the ground and we circled around to eat. This made our joints more flexible. Now every one looks for more and more of comforts and do not make the joints exercise. For joints there is a famous saying, 'use it or loose it'.

Arthritis

Disorders related to inflammation of the joints are called arthritis. Most people suffering from arthrits have one of the two forms of arthritis - osteoarhtritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also called 'degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is essentially a area joint failure and may affect any joint in the body. There is pain and immobility of the affected area. Something there is swelling, redness, and a rise in temperature of the affected part due to inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis is not associated with wear and tear of use or with injury. It is an autoimnune disorder in which, the body's immune system attacks itself. In addition to osteoarthritis and arthritis there are other form of arthritis including, tennis elbow,

bursitis, frozen shoulder, ankle sprain, spondylitis, lumago, gout etc.

Treatment

The cause of most of these disorders is not known and usually, symptomatic treatment consisting of conventional pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs is given. In some cases the disorder may be due to faulty posture. This can be treated by correcting posture and Physiotherapy. If it is due to an infective illness like tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, rheumatic fever, an intensive therapy is necessary. Various combinations of drugs are available. These will be discussed towards the end of this chapter. Conventional pain relievers have already been discussed. Here we shall discuss their sailent features in relation to arthritis.

Pain-Relieving Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

As the name suggests, these drugs relieve pain by reducing inflammation. These are commonly called NSAIDs (Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). In arthritis, inflammation causes pain which is relieved by these drugs. Though underlying cause of inflammation is not removed these drugs provide relief by reducing pain and swelling, and increasing mobility of the joint.