What is arthritis

The term arthritis translates literally to mean an inflammation of the joint.  Medically speaking, arthritis is actually not one disease but a group of more than one hundred different rheumatic disorders that can affect not only the joints and bones but other parts of the body, such as lungs and heart as well.

Women seem more prone to the disease than men because of hormonal difference.  While there are still no cures for any of these disorders, new advances in treatment, special drugs, improved surgical techniques, diet and exercise programs- are helping to stop or slow the progression of the disease says a medical doctor.

Types of arthritis

What is osteoarthritis

1. Osteoarthritis.  Is the most common of the rheumatic diseases, also known as degenerative joint disease.  Years of normal tear and wear  on joints can gnaw away at the elastic cartilage covering that protect bones.  Cartilage that has become thin or cracked may break away from bone completely, causing joints to become painful and to stiffen.  Stress and minor injuries to joints that both professional and athletes experience may bring on this form of arthritis.  Many rheumatologist believe that excess weight can also lead to osteoarthritis, because it puts additional pressure on the joints.  According to a government survey, for instance, women over the age of sixty-five were three times more likely to have osteoarthritis of the knee than men.

What is rheumatoid arthritis

1. Rheumatoid arthritis.  This form of inflammatory disease may be the result of an immune system gone away.  For some reason, the body begins attacking itself, breaking down the cartilage and bones.  The small joints of the hands, the elbows, the knees, and the hips are usual target of the attack. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:  Some rheumatoid arthritis may have little or no pain while other are riddled with agonizing deep-seated pain that incapacitates.  Studies show that with treatment, a full twenty percent of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers recover completely.
2. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  Children, too, experience form of arthritis such as:       

           Systemic.  It affects internal organs and other joint.

           Polyarticular.  It affects many joints.

           Particular.  Few joints are affected.

According to a medical doctor, the chances for improvement of the condition in children with arthritis are much better than chance for improvement in adults.  The child with arthritis may be physically smaller or may mature later than other children, get fatigued very easily, and experience severe eye complications.

Arthritis symptoms

The knees, the hips, and the spine are most susceptible to arthritis.  These joints bear an increased burner when the body takes on the burden of the stress related to certain activities or sports like- kneeling, swinging or serving a tennis ball.  Most often than not, these forms of arthritis last only a short time and cause no permanent joint damage.

             Knee arthritis

             Elbows arthritis

             Hip arthritis

Arthritis symptoms

• Swelling in joints. Swelling in one or more joints or obvious redness and warmth in a joint
• Morning stiffness.
• Paint joint. Inability to move joint normally
• Unexplained weight loss or weakness combined with join paint
• Symptoms like these persisting for more than two weeks

Good Remedies

According to a medical doctor, the most effective treatment is still an individualized plan that includes exercise, rest, and aggressive drug treatment.  People with arthritis should exercise their joints daily.  Swimming can help keep joints mobile and strengthen muscles, and walking is good for overall conditioning added the doctor.  Studies show that fatty oils-omega 3's may help lessen the symptoms of arthritis.  The best diet for arthritis sufferers is as it has been all along, one that offers variety and balance and keep weight within normal limits.

Source:

            Callahan, Maureen, "When Arthritis Strikes."  Woman Today Magazine 28 May 97