Arthritis Causes Symptoms and Common Treatments

Arthritis affects over forty million Americans. Arthritis is the most common chronic disease in people over forty and the most common cause of disability in people over fifty. Arthritis is not just a disease of these age groups however; some forms of arthritis can start as early as infancy. Arthritis is a large group of over one hundred different conditions with similarities and differences. Early symptoms of all these types of arthritis can be similar and making an accurate diagnosis of which type of arthritis one is suffering from can sometime be difficult. Arthritis is the nation's number one crippling disease. Arthritis is very common in those over sixty and it is generally accepted that we all will develop some degree of arthritis is we live long enough.

Symptoms of arthritis can include joint pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling and redness. The joint pain may occur in any joint of the body including the spine, hips, shoulders, hands and fingers, feet, toes, and knees. Any place in the body where there is a joint can be affected. Stiffness is often worse in the morning when first arising, or after sitting for a prolonged time. Swelling, redness and warmth over the area occur when active inflammation occurs. Arthritis is a chronic and progressive disease whose symptoms wax and wane depending on response to treatment, activity, diet, and even the weather! The symptom may worsen when humidity and barometric pressure rise. Some suffers know a change in weather is coming before the weather man does!

Diagnosis of arthritis will be based by your doctor on lab work, x-rays, the pattern of your symptoms and the distribution of joints affected. You may be referred to a rheumatologist who specializes in arthritic disorders.

Arthritis has no cure and treatment is based on reducing symptoms and flare ups of the disorder. Many treatments are general to all types of arthritis and some are specific depending on the actual type of arthritis you suffer from. A balance between proper rest and exercise will be necessary. Too little exercise encourages stiffness, however, during active inflammation rest will be recommended. Both ice and heat modalities can be helpful. Ice decreases inflammation while heat can help stiffness and increase comfort. Symptoms can be aggravated by insufficient rest, poor diet, and depression. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS, such as Ibuprofen will probably be suggested to reduce inflammation and the pain it causes. Surgery may be an option to repair and restore joint function.

There is no cure for arthritis, however, with appropriate treatment the symptoms can be managed and quality of life improved. If you think you have arthritis talk with your doctor.

This article is informative and not to be taken as medical advice.

Sources:

http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-is.php

http://www.arthritis-relief-guide.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septic_arthritis