Arthritis Zone
ARTHRITIC BASICS
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.
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.
Also note if you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to
seek medical advice. Because healthcare providers can help to
determine if the symptoms are not something else like a virus or
tendonitis or other similar problem that cold potentially worsen if
left untreated.
Basic
Science of Arthritis
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This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.