Arthritis is one of the most common of all disabling diseases. It is estimated that ten percent of the population suffers from one of the many forms of arthritis. In the United States alone there are more than 15 million people each year that seek professional medical care for arthritis. Of that number, approximately three million must restrict their daily activities. About 750,00 of those are so disabled that they cannot got to work, school, or even do simple household tasks.

Arthritis and rheumatism are terms that are used interchangeably by people to describe any abnormal condition of the joints. Many arthritic diseases have been given popular names such as "housemaids knees," "Baseball finger," or "weavers bottom". Physicians will usually prefer to apply the term arthritis to disorders of the joints that are accompanied by inflammation.

There have been more that 75 different diseases of the joints that have been identified. They are classified according to their specific signs, symptoms, and causes. Some of the diseases include: bursitis, gout, and tendinitis. Some of the more major disorders are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthiritis are examples of two kinds of arthritic ailments that are really quite different. Rheumatoid arthritis will usually develop from unknown causes. It will most often make its presence known, before the age of 45. It is marked by a nonspecific inflammation of the joints of the extremities. The inflammation will be accompanied by changes in substances found in the blood. A person with rheumatoid arthritis may develop limb deformities within a very short period of time. Osteoarthritis is not likely to show any symptoms until after the age of 45. The cause of this type of arthritis is simply wear and tear on the cartilage cushions of the joints. It will occur mostly in the weight-bearing ones such as the hips and the knees.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which can also be known as hypertrophic arthritis or degenerative joint disease. It can be said that if you live long enough, you will suffer from osteoarthritis. The first signs of oseroarthritis may appear on an x-ray. Studies have shown that nearly everybody has at least the beginning signs or symptoms of osteoarthritis after they reach their 50's. It affects both men and women, although woman may not experience symptoms until after they reach the age of menopause.

A simple explanation of the cause of osteoarthritis is that the joints between the bone of a young person are cushioned and lubricated by cartilage pads and smooth lining membranes. Normal wear and tear on the joints during a lifetime of activity gradually erodes the protective layers between the bones. The bones may develop small growths at the joints. This will exacerbate the situation. There is some evidence that heredity plays a role in the development of these bone growths. These growth are ten time more likely to happen in woman than men.

While it is true that the hips and knees are among the most likely targets of osteoarthritis, it can also affect the hands, the shoulders, and the back. The weight-bearing joints are commonly involved when a person is over weight and spends a good deal of time standing or walking.

Most cases of osteoarthritis are not seriously disabling, but arthritis of the hip is a big cause of disability in older people. It will produce pain in the hips, the inner thigh, the groin, and often times in the knees. Walking, climbing steps, sitting, and bending will become very painful. Stress and strain on the hip joints will further exacerbate the condition. It will also become worse with increased age.

Surgery to replace the head of the femur or the entire hip joint with plastic parts has been known to decrease pain and increase mobility to some patients who are suffering from severe cases of arthritis of the hip.

The aging process is the main cause of spinal arthritis. Other contributing factors are disk lesions and injury. Spinal arthritis causes pronounce bone degeneration and disability. The person will experience severe back pain that will radiate to the thighs. This is a result of the nerve roots from osteophyles or spurs that are formed in the joints. In mild cases all that may be needed is physical therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis will occur at a much earlier age than osteoarthritis. It is most common in people between the ages of twenty to thirty-five. Women are three times as likely to fall victim to this type of arthritis than men. Recent studies show that two common beliefs about Rheumatoid arthritis may be unture. Facts show that the disease is not hereditary and that it is more prevelant in cold, damp climates.

Rheumatoid arthritis can begin as part of an acute illness, with a high fever and inflammation of the joints. It can also develop with little to no discomfort except for fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and maybe a mild fever. Later on the person will begin to notice aches and pains in their joints. It is now that they will seek out medical care. Many times deformities will develop before the patient realizes what is happening.

The inflammation of a joint that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis can last for weeks or ti may even last for years. During inflammation, tendons will become shortened and muscles will loose their normal balance. The result of this is deformity of the joints. Muscular weakness develops and there is a loss of grip strength in the hands when that area is affected. The person will be unable to make a tight fist.

A common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is stiffness that develops during periods of rest but will gradually disappear when you resume with activities. After sleeping at night, the stiffness may result from the muscular weakness that comes with the disease.

The effects of rheumatoid arthritis are most often seen in the hands or feet of patients. Other body joints such as the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, hips, spine, and jawbone can also be involved. It is quite possible that all of a persons joints could be affected.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. There have been a variety of factors that have been associated with the onset of the disease. Emotional upsets, tuberculosis, venereal disease, psoriasis, and rheumatic fever are some of the conditions that are associated with the beginning of the disease.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis intensify or go away spontaneously and unpredictably. Available methods of treatment will not cure the disease, but will relieve the symptoms so that the pain is reduced and some normal movement is returned. Good nutrition, heat, rest, and exercise will also help. Many drugs can be used to help reduce the swelling of the joints. The only problem is that they may have some toxic effects.

There have been several other types of medications that have been tried as alternatives to aspirin. One drug, indomethacin, is about as effective as aspirin. When it is taken in larger doses it seems to cause side effects such as nausea, heartburn, and headache.

Sulindac, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, made its way to the market in the late 1970's. Under the trade name Clitoral, Sulindac was widely used in the treatment of many arthritic disorders. Some of the conditions that it was used to treat were: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, and shoulder pain.

Sulindac can both relieve pain and reduce the fever while it helps stop inflammation. It can be taken twice daily, but was found to have side effects, some of which can be serious.

Some patients reported abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation. Many people also experienced diarrhea. Some of the side effects were found to involve the central nervous system. These symptoms include dizziness, headache, and drowsiness.

The cortisone type (steroid) drugs have been proven very effective in controlling severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis. This drug can be given either orally or by injection. When an injection is given it will be injected directly into the affected joints. Unfortunately this drug has several undesirable side effects. Steroid therapy is a long term process that can make the person dependent on the medication. Some doctors are reluctant to use indictable steroids as the only work short term and repeated use of needles can be a risk for infection.

Bed rest is recommended for severe cases and up to then hours for minor cases of rheumatoid arthritis. An affected person should also take rest periods throughout the day. This will help to cut down on stress and fatigue.

Patients who have arthritis tend to avoid moving the joints that are affected by the disease. It is recommended that they do exercise these joints though, as it will help prevent the adjoining muscles from shrinking and weakening. A program of physiotherapy and hot packs can be very helpful to some patients.

A type of arthritis that affects the spine causing a fusion of the joints is known as ankuylosing spondylitis. About 90% of the people are young adult males. Some evidence shows that this could be hereditary.

Like many forms of arthritis, this type can be very deceptive in the beginning. A person may complain of having a backache, usually in the lumbar region. Many patients who suffer from this disease say that they had no pain at first and only felt muscle spasms or tenderness at the lower end of the spine. Then numbness and stiffness spread rapidly over the entire back.

Treatment of this disease requires physical therapy and exercise. This is to prevent or limit any deformities. Your doctor will most likely use aspirin and other drugs to prevent pain.

As you can see, there are many kinds of arthritis that can affect anyone at any time. Many times the disease will be very without symptoms until it too late. Many of the drugs used to treat the disease can have serious side effects.
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