According to the U.S. Arthritis Foundation, “Stress can exacerbate arthritis pain...stress prompts the release of chemicals...that can trigger [arthritis] flares, inflammation and pain."
The (author unknown) article “Managing Stress” is published on The Arthritis Foundation website. The 2009 updated article provides information about the how stress effects arthritis symptoms, and provides methods to reduce and manage pain and stress.
The Arthritis Foundation, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, claims to be “the largest private not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world.” The foundation mission is public education, legislation involvement, and research for ways to improve the “quality of life” of arthritis sufferers.
Chronic Pain Management
Stress is a response to demands and other stress causing factors, according to the Arthritis Foundation article. The major stress factors listed in the article are:
- Aggravating traffic jams
- Arguments with family members and others
- Long waits in lines
- Demanding boss
- Changing jobs
- Suffering caused by arthritis
- Caring for an older person
- Caring for a chronically ill loved one
- Death of a loved one
Stress can cause other diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Stress releases chemicals in the body and brain which, using the same biological pathways as arthritis, cause “flares, inflammation and pain,” states the Arthritis Foundation article. Some stress reduction methods people can employ are:
- Release of negative and worrisome thoughts by taking the time to visualize them floating away
- Practice deep breathing from the diaphragm
- Release anger and negative emotions by tightening and releasing muscle groups starting from toes to face
- Cut back on sugar and carbs
- Fight sedentary behavior, such as watching TV, with aerobic exercise including brisk walking
- Consult with a doctor about pain medications
Early Symptoms of Arthritis
The early symptoms of arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation article, are:
- Joint pain or pain in many joints
- Symmetric pain: joints on both sides of body hurt at the same time
- Joint swelling, warmth, red hue
- Joint tenderness
- Some loss of joint motion
Chronic Pain Medications
“Older disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs include methotrexate, sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. The newer drugs are leflunomide and eyelosporin...a recent advance [for arthritis treatment is the use of biological agents...," advises an article titled, “Efficacy of Biologicals in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.” The article, dated October 28, 2008, is published on the PubMed website. The article content is from the Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Biologicals are made from “living organisms” according to the Farlex Medical Dictionary on-line.
One biological, “infliximab,” used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, “is a tumour-necrosis-factor [causing tumor hemorrhage, not affecting normal cells]-alpha-blocking,” agent according to the Department of Pharmacology article. The other biologicals listed in the article are:
- Etanercept
- Adalimumab
- Anti-CD-20 agent
- Rituximab
- CTLA-4 Ig abatacept
“In conclusion, biologicals as a group are highly effective in the treatment of RA [rheumatoid arthritis],” states the Department of Pharmacology article.
The Arthritis Foundation warns that stress can cause arthritis flare-ups because stress chemicals use the same pathways as arthritis symptoms. The Department of Pharmacology lists the new biological agents for rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and arthritis sufferers can consult with their doctor about the possible benefits and risks of their use.
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