What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Arthritis actually refers to a group of more than 100 diseases and conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerating joint disease. It occurs primarily in older people. It can occur in younger people as a secondary condition. Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the cartilage in a joint. This can be caused by an injury, excess weight, and genetic factors. There are approximately 21 million Americans suffering with osteoarthritis. People who have this disease have a limited range of motion in the afffected area which limits their daily activities.

Osteoarthritis usually occurs in the hips, knees, feet, and spine. Some finger joints may be affected.

This disease affects most people over the age of 60. Not everyone is disabled by the disease though they may have symptoms. There is no cure. Symptoms can be relieved and serious joint problems may be prevented or corrected with the proper medical treatment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis usually affects the small joints of the fingers, wrists, knees, and toes. Any joint in the body can be affected.

Symptoms of the disease include swelling of joints with associated pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fever. The disease may involve other organs and cause damage to the heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and nerves.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It could be the result of an infection. The lining of the joint becomes inflamed and thickened. It slowly destroys cartilage and bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a crippling disease. Treatment for this disease is to stop the inflammation and prevent the joints from being destroyed. Treatment has to be medically supervised because other body organs can be affected. Some medications may cause side effects.

If you have swelling in your joints, stiffness, or hear a crackling sound in your joints when you get up or sit down, see your doctor. Your doctor will diagnose if you have arthritis and which type it may be. Proper medical treatment is the key to relieving symptoms.

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