|
|
|
What is Arthritis? |
|
|
One of the leading causes – if not the leading cause – of
disability in the United States is arthritis. This means that over 16
million adults are forced to limit their activities because of their
arthritic condition.
But what is arthritis? And what can someone suffering from this apparently
debilitating condition do to improve his or her quality of life?
What is Arthritis – An Overview
The word arthritis comes from the Greek term nosos arthritis or literally
“disease of the joints.” Therefore, from its etymology alone you can have
some idea as to what is arthritis.
But arthritis, contrary to what some may believe, is not just one disease.
It is, in fact, comprised of more than a hundred different rheumatic
diseases and conditions that mainly affect the joints (hence, its name)
although some specific types target the tissues which surround the joint as
well as other connective tissue.
What is arthritis and what specific type it is can be determined by the
pattern, severity, and location of symptoms. As typical in most rheumatic
conditions, the patient often suffers from pain and stiffness in and around
one or more joints. In addition, these symptoms can develop all of a sudden
or go through a gradual progression. In some cases, the disease may even
affect the immune system and various internal organs of the body.
For a better gauge on determining what is arthritis, below are brief
profiles of two of the common forms of the condition:
Osteoarthritis
When someone asks “what is arthritis?” The first thing that pops in our
minds is the specific form of arthritis called osteoarthritis, which is
incidentally the most common type. This disease is characterized by
degeneration of the cartilage, its underlying bone, the joint, and its bony
overgrowth. As these tissues break down, the patient begins to suffer pain
and stiffness of the joints.
Osteoarthritis or OA commonly occurs in the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
It is believed that the condition might be caused by both mechanical and
molecular events occurring in the affected joint, leading to its
degeneration. Generally, osteoarthritis begins after the age of 40 and from
there, the disease progression is gradual. There is no cure for
osteoarthritis but there are several treatment options available to manage
the symptoms associated with it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis or RA. As systemic
inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself in multiple
joints, affecting the synovial membrane primarily and other organs
secondarily. As the synovium, or the lining of the joints, inflames, the
cartilage and bone start to erode, possibly leading to permanent joint
deformity.
The common symptoms are pain, swelling, and redness. In addition, the
disease is also associated with fatigue and prolonged stiffness after rest.
Again, there is no cure for RA, but there are several new drugs that are
available to treat the disease.
By understanding what is arthritis and its two common forms, you will have a
better chance of understanding the disease as a whole and be in a better
position to make informed decisions when it comes to selecting treatment
options. |
| This article
is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch. Please visit
www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on arthritis
as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthritis Articles
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis 2
One of the most common forms of arthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease, characterized mainly by inflammation of
the lining,
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
One of the forms of arthritis commonly occurring
among persons aged 60 and above, rheumatoid arthritis is a result of
a defective immune system
|
|
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder for
which there is no known cure. Because rheumatoid arthritis presents
itself in many different forms and ways,
|
|
Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis poses the biggest threat to young
children and the elderly as their immune systems can be compromised due to
their age.
|
|
|
|
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease
that causes the immune system to attack the joints; this abnormal autoimmune
response
|
|
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease; this means
that your immune system attacks other parts of your body resulting to
redness, pain,
|
|
What is Arthritis?
One of the leading causes – if not the leading cause – of
disability in the United States is arthritis. This means that over 16
million adults are forced
|
|
|
|
|
