Rheumatoid arthritis is painful and can be debilitating. It makes simple tasks like walking around or holding a book almost impossible at times, depending upon how bad the arthritis is. There are things that can relieve symptoms of this, such as aspirin and mild exercise, but there’s not really a solid cure that will make arthritis disappear forever. Arthritis is most common in the elderly, but even younger people can get it. It can make activities that used to be fun and fulfilling a nightmare.
Add to this the fact that things like depression, stress, and anxiety can make rheumatoid arthritis dangerous. Studies have found that people suffering from these things that also have arthritis are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. This is especially true if there is a lack of support with that person. Furthermore, the study went on to suggest that curbing these psychosocial symptoms may improve the cardiovascular health of people with arthritis. There are a number of ways to treat and prevent these issues, mainly through exercise, counseling/therapy, and medication. All of these things can become more difficult to do–especially exercise–when arthritis is overwhelmingly severe.
The problem that was found was that in people with arthritis, atherosclerosis was more prevalent. This is a buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, and contributes to many cardiovascular diseases. Limited movements are a major contributor to this, and the limitations imposed by arthritis make this even worse. Joints can become swollen and inflamed, and this causes pain. In short, cardiovascular disease becomes more of an issue because moving is not a priority. Staying out of pain is. The long term repercussions of this are not good, though.
In the end, the study also implies that having a good support system can make arthritis less dangerous. Oftentimes depression, stress, and anxiety occur simply because the elderly person is not as able to care for themselves as they used to be. Having someone around them to help with daily tasks, even simple ones like doing dishes, getting meals ready, and tidying up around the house, can become horrible exertions if arthritis is a major issue. An in-home caregiver can help with these things and take that edge off. It might not help make depression go away, but it can certainly help make life less stressful at times. Less stress in life can also make people more willing to move around and get some light exercise. Caregivers also provides a source of companionship that can act as part of a bigger support system. A professional caregiver, especially one with full training, will be able to pick up on signs of deeper issues and pass them on to the appropriate sources. For example, if a caregiver sees that even with their help that depression is worsening, this can be brought to the attention of a family member and they can in turn help to set up medical and counseling appointments. A caregiver might not be a catchall solution to life’s stresses, but they can certainly act as a safety net and help address problems before they become too severe or out of control.
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