Monterey, CA Arthritis Can Quickly Spread, Get Early Treatment

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Many seniors have to deal with myriad medical problems and the bills that go along with them, and a common problem as we age is arthritis.  New studies which were discussed at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in Washington D.C. last week found that early treatment for osteoarthritis is critical.  If it's not treated, the disease will progress to multiple joints and can trigger pain from head to toe.  "We need to treat the pain early on before it gets generalized," Joanne Jordan, chairman of the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative's Chronic Osteoarthritis Management Initiative, told USA Today.  "When pain becomes generalized, things that ordinarily wouldn't hurt are hurtful.  For instance, you can pat someone on the shoulder, and their shoulder, which might not be near the afflicted joint, will hurt.  They'll wince or cry out," she said.  She recommends that Doctors treat the disease aggressively.  The problem is, some people go to their Doctor and can't specify a particular area where the pain emenates from.  This makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.  You need to speak openly with your Doctor and get early treatment for this disease.  If not, over the long run things will only get worse.  We often see seniors who don't go to the Doctor because they can't afford the co-pays and the medication.  This is a sad situation.  Help us help those who can't help themselves by clicking on the donate button above or going to the Monterey County Gives web site, click on the Donate Now tab and choose Hands To Help Seniors.  They have chosen a number of charities which will receive matching funds, and we are proud to say we not only were chosen, we are in second place in fundraising this year.  Your donation can go much further by visiting their web site.

http://www.montereycountygives.com/Donations/top-ten.aspx

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands To Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.