Update on Arthritis: What it is and How to Cope

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in America, and it is a good time to update our knowledge and improve our understanding of the types and treatments for arthritis. Arthritis consists of over 100 disease types, and two major categories: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid. Once we know the symptoms and treatments for arthritis, we can reduce the effect it has on our everyday lives.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, painful condition due to wear and tear on cartilage of the joints, and affects 20-30 million mostly older Americans. The destruction of cartilage causes localized rubbing and bone spurs of the hip, knee, elbow, lower back, fingers, etc. Two-thirds of the patients are women. If not treated adequately, it can cause serious disability. It is diagnosed based on examination of joint movement and medical history, and has some hereditary factors. Treatment includes pain management (medication), physical activity and weight loss where applicable.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic inflammatory condition caused by swelling (inflammation) of the joint lining that affects 1-2 million people of all ages, mostly from 30-60 and older. This disease advances in stages, each more severe than the last. It is diagnosed through physical examination, lab testing and medical history. Treatment includes pain management, anti-inflammatory medicine and physical activity. Treatments are less effective as the disease progresses and causes deformities of the joint area. More intrusive means of treatment, such as surgery or joint replacement may then be necessary.

There are other types of arthritis that can strike, and we should all know about them and seek treatment as early as possible (courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation):

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints (where the spine attaches to the pelvis), spine, and hip joints;

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin disease.

Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against the body it's designed to protect for unknown reasons.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by long-lasting widespread pain and tenderness at specific points on the body. The term "fibromyalgia" means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Although not defining characteristics, sleep disturbances and fatigue are also integral symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It is our responsibility to be aware of our physical well-being and seek a doctor's care for the symptoms of arthritis, and hopefully this article has helped to raise awareness of the symptoms and treatment of the most common forms of arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis is the key to reducing its effects on our everyday lives.

Information for this article was provided by Missouri Baptist Medical Center and the Arthritis Foundation.