Anita Clayton is a is a retired nurse, pioneer of Western Australia's tuberculosis services, board member and consumer representative for Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA. After beginning her nursing career in the UK and Germany, she came to Australia in 1977 to work in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing as a Community Nurse for 28 years before joining the Migrant Health Centre.
Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA is a Not for Profit that has been operating for 50 years. There are over 100 skeletal conditions that come under the “Arthritis” umbrella. About 50% of Australians are living with a form of Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis’ common symptoms include pain, stiffness, limited joint movement, swelling (fluid in the joint), nodes, crepitus and muscle weakness. Risk factors are Age (over 40), Gender (higher occurence in women), injury or joint disease, vitamin deficiency, obesity and muscle weakness.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a form of autoimmune disease that can affect the lungs, eyes and skin - and is diagnosed through a specific blood test. Risk factors are Gender (female higher risk), Age (40-60 years), Genetics, smoking and obesity. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling (fluid in the joint), rheumatoid nodules, crepitus, muscle weakness and flu-like symptoms (fatigue).
Other common forms of Arthritis are Lupus and Gout, which is caused byu too much uric acid in the blood. Gout has a higher incidence in men (75% of cases) and can be affected by food which can cause flare ups.
So what are some things you can do to manage arthritis?
- Keep moving - but paced movements
- Pain management - but check with your GP/Pharmacist before starting new medication
- Joint protection/walking aids - braces/splints
- Weight loss
- Heat packs
- Hands on treatment - massage
The Arthritis Centre in Shenton Park runs Pain Management and Exercise Classes, has support groups and a large number of free resources available to assist people living with Arthritis.