Arthritis signals people in a variety of ways. Joints might crack suddenly,
like knees upon standing. Other joints may be stiff and creak. Maybe
pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar. What's it all about? Let's
look at the basics and learn more.
Arthritis actually means "joint inflammation" and has over 100 related
conditions or type / forms of disease. Left untreated, it can
advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be undone or reversed. So
early detection and treatment are important.
The two most common types of arthritis are:
- osteoarthritis (OA), and
- rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Although both have similar symptoms, both happen
for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can
be OA. What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint
breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally
happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands often,
too. And only in later stages will a person most often feel pain, after quite
a bit of cartilage is lost.
The second type, RA, refers to the body's immune system attacking
joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, this
condition most often starts in a person's hands, wrists and feet. Then it
advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.
Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight
fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both OA and RA
generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both
the left and right sides of the body.
A difference in OA and RA to note is with swelling. With RA, people
report "soft and squishy" swelling. While with OA, people
report "hard and bony" swelling.
Another difference is that a person is more likely to develop RA if a
sibling or parent had it. While a person with a history of joint
damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk
for developing OA.
There is no specific age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every
age group, it seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.
And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of OA cases (or
just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage
of RA cases occur with women.
People with excess weight tend to develop OA, especially in the knees
when reaching over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the
odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces
risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.
Other Types of Arthritis
After osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three other
major types of arthritis are systemic lupus erythematosis, ankylosing spondylitis
and gout. Let's take a look at each.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) - This form of
arthritis mainly affects women. It develops in the skin, internal organs and joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis - This form or arthritis affects
the spine and can also affect the ankles, knees, lungs, heart, shoulders and eyes.
Gout - This is a painful affliction mainly for men,
about one million of them in the United States alone. Uric acid build up,
due to an internal chemical malfunction, forms crystals that get stuck in a
joint, generally the big toe, and become inflamed.
Relief
Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain
relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement
alternatives and other helpful treatment options and alternatives, the four
main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive
attitude and rest. And each will be discussed further in subsequent sections,
because education can play a huge role to dispel "old wives tales" and myths
that "nothing can be done about arthritis." Notable is that today, only a
small percentage of those afflicted with arthritis become crippled. And most
never need canes, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory devices.
There are many ways to effectively manage arthritic pain today to find
relief. Available are:
- arthritic diets
- exercise programs
- over-the-counter and prescription medications
- relaxation and positive emotion coping techniques
- surgery
- supplements
- home remedies
- natural and other alternative therapies
If you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical
advice. Healthcare providers can help to determine if the symptoms
are not something else, like a virus, or tendonitis, or other similar problem that
could potentially worsen if left untreated. Then as time and resources
allow, check out the other options by
clicking on the links above.
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