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Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints, such as one or both knees or wrists, or a part of your spinal column. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms of arthritis. Less common types of arthritis may be associated with conditions that also affect other parts of your body. For example, lupus can affect the kidneys and lungs, in addition to joints, while psoriasis is primarily a skin disease that sometimes also affects joints.
The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your joint symptoms may include: • Pain • Stiffness • Swelling • Redness • Decreased range of motion Some types of arthritis are accompanied by signs and symptoms involving other parts of your body. These symptoms may include: • Fever • Fatigue • Rash • Weight loss • Breathing problems • Dry eyes and mouth • Night sweats
The pain associated with arthritis is caused by joint damage. Joints are made up of the following parts: • Cartilage. A hard, but slick, coating on the ends of bones, cartilage allows bones of the joint to slide smoothly over each other. • Joint capsule. This tough membrane encloses all the joint parts. • Synovium. This thin membrane lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint. How arthritis damages joints The two main types of arthritis damage joints in different ways. • Osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, wear-and-tear damage to cartilage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection. • Rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks joints and inflames the synovium, causing swelling, redness and pain. The disease can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
Risk factors for arthritis include: • Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. While your genes don't actually cause arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis. • Age. The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age. • Sex. Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout are men. • Previous joint injury. People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint. • Obesity. Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to take care of daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may become twisted and deformed.
Depending on the type of arthritis suspected, your doctor may suggest some of the following tests. Laboratory tests The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint the type of arthritis you may have. Fluids commonly analyzed include: • Blood • Urine • Joint fluid To obtain a sample of your joint fluid, your doctor will cleanse and numb your skin, and then insert a needle into your joint space to withdraw some fluid. Imaging These types of tests can detect problems within your joint that may be causing your symptoms. Examples include: • X-rays. Using low levels of radiation to visualize bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. X-rays may not reveal early arthritic damage, but are often used to track progression of the disease. • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combining radio waves with a strong magnetic field, MRI can visualize soft tissues such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as bone. Arthroscopy In some cases, your doctor may look for damage in your joint by inserting a small, flexible tube — called an arthroscope — through an incision near your joint. The arthroscope transmits images from inside the joint to a video screen.
• Weight loss. If you're obese, losing weight will reduce the stress on your weight-bearing joints. This may increase your mobility and limit future joint injury. • Exercise. Regular exercise can help keep your joints flexible. Swimming or water aerobics is often a good choice because the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on weight-bearing joints. • Heat and cold. Heating pads or ice packs may help relieve arthritis pain. • Assistive devices. Using canes, walkers, raised toilet seats and other assistive devices can help protect your joints and improve your ability to perform daily tasks.
Many people use alternative remedies for arthritis, there is reliable evidence to support the use of many of these products. Some alternative remedies appear to reduce the symptoms of some types of arthritis but not others. The most promising alternative remedies for arthritis include: • Glucosamine. Although study results have been mixed, many experts now recommend this nutritional supplement as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Using a small device that produces mild electrical pulses, TENS therapy stimulates nerves near the aching joint and may interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly may help reduce your risk. People who have gout should avoid: • Alcohol • Organ meats, such as liver and kidney • Sardines • Anchovies • Gravy
By Anonymous on 25 April 2011
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