Osteoarthritis: Symptoms and Treatments

By EmpowHER

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According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) there is no cure for osteoarthritis. The best thing you can do for osteoarthritis is to manage your symptoms with various treatments.

The NLM states there are several treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) which can improve and manage your symptoms. Treatments for OA may include:

• Over-the-counter medication
• Prescription medication
• Alternative or holistic treatments
• Topical analgesics

• Lifestyle changes
• Surgery
• Physical Therapy
• Braces

For mild or moderate pain caused by OA, the American College of Rheumatology recommends 325 to 1,000 mgs of acetaminophen every four to six hours. However, do not exceed more than 4,000 mgs per day.

Do not drink alcohol with acetaminophen. Your doctor may recommend ibuprofen, aspirin or Aleve. These OTC medications may reduce your swelling.

For severe pain, your doctor may temporarily prescribe a stronger analgesic. These types of drugs include: tramadol, acetaminophen with codeine and propoxyphene hydrochloride.

https://www.empowher.com/osteoarthritis/content/osteoarthritis-treatment