One of the latest advancements in technology are health monitoring apps. Fitbits, fitness trackers, and other health tracker apps are becoming the go-to trainers for health and wellness. So, what is a tracking app used for? The main purpose of a tracking app is to help you monitor and analyze your body condition. The fitness goals you set and the level of wellness you want to achieve can all be tracked on a health app. There are a variety of health apps available on the market. From exercise apps to meditation app to sleep trackers. For health concerns like diarthrosis joints pain, tracking symptoms has become readily adopted.
Health Apps
For a specific health concern, there are health apps that allow you to customize your reports to suit your condition. Depending on how often you use the app, the accuracy of the results will vary. Due to their popularity, there are tracking apps available for many concerns. One of them being arthritis, or diarthrosis joints inflammation. We will look at how accurately tracking arthritis is beneficial in managing it, further into the article.
If you have ever experienced pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints, that’s arthritis. This type of inflammation can affect any of your joints. However, more commonly you will find that this is experienced in the knees. Why the knees? The knees are considered to be one of the largest and strongest joints of the human body. They are responsible for leg movement and support your body weight. Since the knees bear such a weight, overweight individuals are more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis in the knees.
Men, women, or children can suffer from arthritis or diarthrosis joint pain. To understand how the discomfort of a joint occurs, let’s examine what a joint is.
Joint Classification
A joint is a space in between two or more bones that allows for movement. Joints can be classified as immobile, slightly mobile and freely mobile. Diarthrosis joints refer to your free-moving joints. These joints include all synovial joints and are responsible for the majority of the body movements. The types of diarthrosis joints include ball and socket, pivot, hinge, condyloid, gliding and saddle joints. These diarthrosis joints are responsible for allowing fluid and safe movement of the body. Joints are comprised of cartilage, synovial membrane, synovial fluid, ligaments, tendons, bursas and meniscus (R). The chart below provides a simple description of the elements related to a joint.
| Part | Description |
| Cartilage | A connective tissue that is firm and flexible, helps to minimize friction within a joint |
| Synovial Membrane | A connective tissue that lines and seals the joint, secretes synovial fluid |
| Synovial Fluid | A fluid that works to reduce friction between the cartilage of a joint during movement |
| Ligaments | An elastic connective tissue that supports and limits joint movement |
| Tendons | A connective tissue on either side of the joint that connects muscles and bone |
| Bursas | A fluid-filled sac that lines the synovial membrane to provide cushion between the muscles and bone of a joint |
Arthritis (Pain in Diarthrosis Joints)
Essentially, arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. Often times people develop this condition over time or they inherit it. Arthritis can affect pretty much any joint, although it mostly affects diarthrosis joints. As a result there are many names for this condition. There are around 100 different types of arthritis (or diarthrosis joints pain).
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis are also common types of arthritis. Recently there has been an increase in juvenile arthritis (JIA), affecting an estimate of 300,000 youth in the United States (R). Let us discuss the different types of arthritis in more detail below.
Arthritis Types
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This develops when the cartilage of a joint has degenerated. This happens when there is excessive weight on the cartilage, causing it to degenerate over time. You will feel pain and stiffness in areas that hold the most weight. These areas include the knees, feet and spine. Due to the loss of the cartilage, the friction within the joints becomes inflamed. This is what makes it painful for you to move. Physicians advise maintaining a healthy body weight to reduce your risk, as well as incorporating gentle exercises.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a tricky condition. It is classified as an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks the joints. Some people believe that after suffering from a bacterial or viral infection this can happen. This can often cause the body to become confused and fails to recognize its own cells. It is uncertain why this happens. Aside from your joints, it can affect any part of your body system like blood vessels or the skin. This affects the lining of your joints, causing inflammation which leads to bone degeneration and joint deformity.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PA)
Psoriatic arthritis refers to inflammation of the skin and joints. The skin will be blotchy, red and you will experience swelling. You will feel fatigue, pain and a lack of ability to move freely. When identifying psoriatic arthritis, the physician will pay close attention to the skin, nails and joints.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile arthritis, juvenile idiopathic or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is commonly diagnosed in children under 16. This is a major concern as children are still growing and developing around this age. Since this affects the joint, it can lead to growth complications and other body development concerns. The cause of juvenile arthritis is not certain. However, researchers have found a correlation to genetic make-up. Other factors include bacterial or viral infections. This affects 1 in every 1,000 child in the United States. Juvenile arthritis can be diagnosed as early as 6 months of age.
At Risk
Anyone can develop arthritis as early as 6 months of age. If you have a family history of arthritis, you are at a higher risk due to your genetic make-up. Rheumatoid arthritis develops as a result of your genes. Osteoarthritis can develop due to obesity, or excessive weight on joints.
Age is another factor that increases risk of diarthrosis pain. If you have had a previous joint injury or incurred damage to your cartilage or joint, this increases your risk as well. If you have experienced an immune health concern, this will increase your risk. It is estimated that 26% of adults in the United States are expected to receive an arthritis-related diagnosis by 2040.
Obese or overweight individuals are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. The CDC found that an estimated 16% of under or normal-weight adults are diagnosed with arthritis. Approximately 23% of overweight and 31% of obese adults have arthritis.
Women are more likely to develop arthritis in comparison to men. People aged 65 and up comprise 49.6% of diagnosed arthritis. People aged 45 to 64 year make up approximately 29.3% of diagnosed arthritis. And finally, people aged between 18 to 44 years comprise of 7.1% of diagnosed arthritis (R).
A doctor can identify symptoms of arthritis. However, you may be referred to a rheumatologist, which is a specialist, to treat you. For juvenile idiopathic arthritis, you can refer to a rheumatologist that treats only children. Although most rheumatologists do treat both children and adults. A rheumatologist will conduct a physical examination of your joints and muscles. They may also conduct medical test such as imaging tests to diagnose arthritis.
Arthritis Relief
Once you are aware of the type of arthritis you have, finding pain relief is easier. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help to relieve symptoms. A great way to manage your symptoms is through your nutrition.
Taking dietary supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties has been found to reduce symptoms. Exercise is important to strengthen your body, but it would be ineffective unless you eat right. Consuming foods such as chili peppers that contain pain-relieving chemicals and performing mild exercises help with relief. Consumption of dairy, processed, sugary products can often lead to symptom flare-ups.
Supplements, healthy eating and exercise can work to help you handle your condition. Be mindful of how you treat your body and what you put in it. In this way you can work towards maintaining your overall well-being.
Arthritis is typically found in your diarthrosis joints. These are your free-moving joints that allow you to move and perform daily activities. Walking, running, sitting, and standing is possible due to your diarthrosis joints. Common tasks are possible due to these joints, so you want to be able to perform activities with limited pain. You want to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle so that you can do the things you love.
Arthritis Lifestyle
Your lifestyle is unique to you. Where you work, where you live, how you enjoy life, what concerns you have, varies among one another. As you progress through life, you may have noticed that your lifestyle has shifted.
If you have arthritis, your lifestyle has most likely been altered to better manage your symptoms. Reflective of your symptoms and pain level, there are some activities you may avoid or limit yourself to performing. Arthritis affects your diarthrosis joints, also known as your free-moving joints. Areas such as your knees, back and hands can be affected as we use them to help us perform daily activities.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, some tasks are easier to perform compared to others. Being aware of what works for you, and what is manageable for you, allows you to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. For some people, a colder environment increases their pain. For others, it could be the type of food they consume. Sometimes the type of exercise you do also makes it harder to tolerate your symptoms. Taking note of something as small as changes in the weather or your food consumption can help you figure this out.
While arthritis-related symptoms may be similar, the way your body handles arthritis differs. By reacting appropriately to your concern, you can experience successful results. When you track your symptoms, you can react in a more fitting manner. One of the best (and advised) ways to do this is through an arthritis tracker.
Track and React
Identifying and tracking arthritis can be difficult. When you are caught up with your daily activities, you might miss the warning signs. Or you might brush them off. By tracking and monitoring your symptoms, diagnosing is made easier. With the advancements in technology, you, the patient, can take control of your health.
CareClinic is the right app for tracking your symptoms and scheduling your treatments. With features like a personal health record and symptom tracker, observing any warning signs or progression of arthritis is efficient. Let’s examine these features in detail.
PHR
A personal health record (PHR) collects all information related to your health. This information includes a comprehensive review of your medical and family history. Different from an electronic medical record (EMR), a PHR is created by you. You are in charge of creating, updating and keeping the document under your care.
A PHR is an excellent tool in improving patient engagement. This allows you to be aware of your condition and any treatments. You are able to manage your treatments and keep track of your progress. If you have multiple health providers, you are able to monitor the information and inform your primary physician. In this way they can better understand your condition and connect you to the right resources.
An additional benefit to this is that it improves your communication with your physician or specialist. You are able to accurately give them updates on your condition. It can help you work as a team to coordinate the treatments and activities that work towards managing your concerns.
Please keep in mind that the CareClinic app is not a PHR. It has a similar system that makes it a great and useful alternative, in the form of a health app. To set up this feature, follow up on the personal health record. The app is compatible with both Apple and Android software.
Symptom Tracker
A symptom is an indication used to diagnose a health condition or disease. It is a non-invasive technique to determine an underlying concern. A symptom tracker is an effective tool in identifying arthritis. In this feature, you are able to record your symptoms as frequently as you feel them. This helps your physician and you to work towards finding causes and managing your health condition.
By logging your symptoms of diarthrosis joints pain or other pains, you can determine what improves or worsens your symptoms. Sometimes something as small as what food you have consumed can affect your symptoms. If you keep track, you can avoid the foods or actions that limit your movability. In the notes section you can make comments and analyze your progress.
Choose from a list of medical symptoms or record your own. This feature makes it simple for you to customize the arthritis symptoms you are experiencing. From the time it occurs to when it stops, you are able to record it as such. Fatigue, back pain, swelling, stiffness, etc. These are examples of symptoms you can keep track of in this feature. This also makes it more accessible for you to refer back and consult with your physician.
If you are tracking your symptoms, you are able to monitor your progress in the reports section. This could help you minimize your symptoms and discover ways to better handle the symptoms. If you have a CareTeam, you can connect them to these results to help you analyze them and identify causes.
Final Remarks
By tracking and reacting, you are able to minimize and monitor your arthritis progress. Aches, pains, stiffness and fatigue are all related symptoms of arthritis. If you have a history of arthritis, you are more likely to get it. Catching it earlier on can make it easier to handle. However, keeping track of arthritis symptoms can help to identify pain correlations and treatment effectiveness.
Tracker apps have become a go to for many people. Those with a busy lifestyle or a simple lifestyle turn to health apps to monitor their conditions. Some also use to track their health goals. If your arthritis isn’t managed, it can make it hard for you to go about your day-to-day activities. The aching and stiffness of diarthrosis joints restrict movement or make it painful to move freely.
Of course, a trusted physician is always a good person to consult when it comes to managing arthritis. When you are well informed about your own condition, you feel a bit better knowing how to take care of your own body. Tracker apps allow for you to monitor, analyze and report your progress and reach your goals. They also help you keep track of medications, treatments, reports and symptoms to give you better insight on your condition.
You don’t have to change your lifestyle to better manage your symptoms, you simply need to modify it. What better person to help you be self-aware and engaged in maintaining your health than yourself? With tracker apps you are able to take control.
