subject: Arthritis - learn about causes, symptoms, types and how are arthritis treated [print this page] Arthritis - learn about causes, symptoms, types and how are arthritis treated
What is Arthritis
Arthritis simply means a painful condition of the joints. There are different types of the disease - many inflammatory and others more degenerative in nature.
Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect internal body areas as well.
Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Over 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.
There are many forms of Arthritis (over 100 have been described so far, and the number is growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation as a result of an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.
The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), inheritance (such as in osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), infections (such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease), and an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Treatment programs, when possible, are often directed toward the precise cause of the arthritis.
Arthritis Symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present. Loss of range of motion and deformity can result. Certain forms of arthritis can also be associated with pain and inflammation of tendons surrounding joints. Some forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than a serious medical problem.
However, millions of people suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications. Moreover, many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
Types of Arthritis
In literal terms, Arthritis can be defined as the swelling of joints. Arthritis comprises of nearly hundred different types and is classified based on the intensity of inflammation, the way the wear and tear occurs, etc.
Rheumatoid Arthiritis
This type of arthritis is chronic and systematic affecting the joints and leading to an inflammation of the synovitis. It also tends to spread to other parts of the body and tissues. It is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system by mistake attacks the synovium and causes arthirtis.
Osteoarthritis
This type of arthritis is found the maximum among people and is a condition where the joints of a person become weaker progressively. It is commonly known as a degenerative joint disease. This weakening may include not just the joints, but also the articular cartilage and the bone next to the joints. The hands, feet and spine joints are the ones that tend to be affected by osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is one of the types of arthritis caused by increase in the level of uric acid found in blood. This excess uric acid gets deposited in the articular cartilage, the tissues surrounding the joints and the tendons. The most common symptom is a burning sensation in the joints and extreme pain. Fingers may swell a lot and cause tendinitis. There is another type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis that mainly causes a lot of swelling of joints.
Arthritis Treatment
The treatment of arthritis depends on which particular form of arthritis is present, its location, severity, persistence, and any underlying background medical conditions of the patient. Each treatment program must be customized for the individual patient. Treatment programs can incorporate home remedies, nonprescription and prescription medications, joint injections, and surgical operations.
Some treatment programs involve weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert excessive stress on the joint. The goal of treatment of arthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while preventing damage and improving and maintaining joint function
