What is Athritis?
Arthritis is a term used to describe a number of painful conditions of the joints and bones. Two of the main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Cartilage (connective tissue) between the bones gradually wastes away and this can lead to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. It may also cause joints to fall out of their natural positions. The most frequently affected joints are in the hands, spine, knees and hips.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Also known as inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe, but less common condition. The body's immune system attacks and destroys the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can lead to reduction of movement, and the breakdown of bone and cartilage.
There are over 200 forms of arthritis. More common forms include:
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Cervical spondylitis.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Systemic lupus erythematosis (lupus).
- Gout.
- Psoriatic arthritis.
- Reiter's syndrome.
Arthritis is mostly associated with older people, but it can also affect children. About one in 1,000 children develop arthritis. Arthritis in children is often called juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The three main types of JIA are:
- Oligo-articular JIA is the most common form of JIA. It affects four or fewer joints in the body, most commonly the knees, ankles and wrists. This type has good recovery rates and the effects are rarely long term. However, there is a risk of developing eye problems, so children should have regular checks with an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
- Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis) affects five or more joints, and the symptoms are very similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis. It can quickly spread from one joint to another and can develop at any age. It is often accompanied by a rash or fever.
- Systemic onset JIA begins with symptoms such as fever, rashes, lethargy and enlarged glands, and later develops into swollen and inflamed joints. It can also affect children of any age.
What are the symptoms of Arthritis?
Because there are over 100 different types of Arthritis, symptoms of the disease can vary but there are certain signs that point to the disease. These symptoms often include:
- Persistent Joint Pain
- Pain or Tenderness in a joint which is aggrivated by movement
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Inflammation
- Joint Deformity
- Loss of range of motion (ROM) or flexibility in a limb
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will normally suspect Arthritis from your symptoms and medical history. In many cases Arthritis may also be diagnosed from a physical examination of the joints, especially if it's a large joint that is affected. You may require a blood test to confirm what type of arthritis you are suffering with, as Rheumatoid Arthritis needs to be quickly diagnosed. An x-ray of the affected area will usually confirm the diagnosis.
How is Arthritis Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for most types of Arthritis, however, there is a large range of treatments available to help you live a normal life. The treatment you receive will depend on the type of Arthritis you have and how bad your symptoms are. Some people may only require a simple, daily exercise program to help ease the pain and improve movement in the joint. If you suffer with soft tissue rheumatism, such as tennis elbow or back pain, the pain can sometimes go away without the need for any treatment.
If you are finding that your joints are very painful and that it is affecting your daily life, Doctors will sometimes prescribe drugs to relieve the pain and/or infammation.
If you have been diagnosed with Arthritis it is extremely important that you get regular exercise. Please speak to your doctor about which type of exercise is best for you. Swimming is usually the best form of exercise for people with Arthritis. Your doctor may also suggest you visit a Physiotherapist who can recommend exercises and teach you relaxation techniques to reduce stress and muscle tension.
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