Arthritis : When Things Are Swell

written by: lanaya montecarlo; article published: year 2007, month 09;


In: Categories » Health » Medicine and alternative » Arthritis : When Things Are Swell

About arthritis, its types, symptoms, how debilitating it can get, and how to relieve simple arthritic pain.

Arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions affecting mostly people over the age of 55. It doesn't only affect that specific age group, but also a percentage of young adults. It's not just a simple disease but a group of conditions that may cause damage not only to your bones but also to other organs in the body.

Different forms of arthritis manifest different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include: persistent joint pain; tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement; inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth; pain and stiffness in the body, especially around the joints; joint deformity; loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint; unexplained weight loss; non-specific fever; and crepitus (weird crackling sound in the joints.)

There are over 100 different types of arthritis affect approximately 46 million Americans today. The three most common types are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Osteoarthritis is more commonly called as degenerative arthritis. This develops from a simple breakdown to an eventual loss of cartilages of one or joints. Cartilages are protein-based mass that serve as cushions in between joints. This type of arthritis usually attacks weight-bearing joints such as the hands, feet, and spine. It is mostly related to aging and it progresses further as the years pass. It usually occurs at the age range of 45-60. Men are at higher risk for osteoarthritis before age 45. Women, however, are more prone to it around age 55 specifically around the hand, foot and knee joints. Severe cases of degenerative arthritis require total joint replacement, mostly of the hip and knee joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect different joints, and as previously mentioned, it may affect some body organs and even our blood. It mainly affects the synovial lining of the joint. The synovium is a soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints. This issue comes as a secondary effect of infections. In this case, the body's autoimmune system malfunctions and attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and joint damage. Although it is not as degenerative as osteoarthritis, it may cause joint deformity in a mild level.

Gout is caused by displacement of uric acid crystal to the joints. Also known as hyperuricemia, which literally translates high uric acid content in the blood, it is a metabolic ailment wherein uric acid builds up in the blood and crystallize in the joints of other parts of the body. Chronic gout attacks may lead to hard lumps of uric acid deposits around the joints, and in the process decrease kidney functions and form kidney stones.

There are different kinds of treatment for the different forms of arthritis. There are medications available that aid in arthritis pain relief. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as relieve pain and decrease inflammation on affected areas. It has to be paired with constant visits to a physical or occupational therapist to ensure that mobility and range of motion is maintained.

Arthritis isn't just a simple joint pain that we can disregard. The pain alone is difficult to ignore, let alone the complications it will bring if it remains untreated. Nobody is safe from getting arthritis as there are forms that have causes yet to be defined. Bottom line is, take care of your body - be mindful of your diet and exercise constantly. You'll never know when this sneaky disease will catch up with you.

RESOURCE BOX

Did you find this article very informative? If you want to read more on health related topics then visit us at Buy Soma Online

legal disclaimer

1) Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article as well for any and all copyright infringements by authors and writers. E-articles is a free information resource. If you suspect this article for any copyright infringements, please read the Terms of service and contact us to investigate the problem.
2) The E-articles directory team is not responsible for inaccuracies, falsehoods, or any other types of misinformation this tutorial may contain and will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by a user through the user's reliance on the information gained here. Please read the Terms of service

Useful tools and features

Translate this article to...    Send this article to you or to a friend

Link to this article from your page   
If you like this article (tutorial), please link to it from your web page using the information above. Linking to this page, this is the only way to help us improve our service, the same time providing your visitors with a way to improve their online experience.

related articles

1. Lasik Interventions ~ Target Patiens and Risk Candidates
Steps In case you decided to have the LASIK surgery, you must find out if you are a LASIK candidate during a visit to an ophthalmologist. Your visit will have two stages: 1. Eye examination. The examination is painless and it's needed so that the doctor could give you the correct diagnosis. Based on the result of the appointment you will decide if the results of the surgery will satisfy you and if you want to continue. Stop wearing contact lenses for at least 4 weeks prior to the examinations as ...

2. Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Naturopathy is a broad system of medicine built upon simple and reliable principles. One of these principles is that proper circulation to internal organs and tissues is a necessity for pain relief, optimal metabolic function, and repair of damaged or infected tissue and for general well being. There are many ways to improve circulation and hydrotherapy, the use of alternating hot and cold water, is one of the oldest. Constitutional hydrotherapy is a special technique that greatly improves recovery...

3. Breakthrough research into the causes of eczema and its treatment
Eczema known in medical terms as Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Generally, eczema denotes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Eczema is a common condition. Though not life threatening or contagious it can make one feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Eczema affects one in every five people at some point in their lives. This article uncovers new breakthrough research into the causes of eczema. Causes of Eczema as per the modern science A number of health conditions, allergies, genetic factors, ph...

4. Sleepatil is the best way to make stress go away
Feeling too many pressures on you? Do you suffer from sleep deprivation because you are constantly thinking about tests or pending reports? If so, it means you are stressed. There are sometimes when stress can be of some help, from a certain point of view, because it can encourage you to meet a deadline or get things done. But, if you are stressed too often or for a long period of time there is a higher risk of suffering from diseases like depression, heart disease and problems like that. Stress is a feeling that manifests whe...

5. Chiropractic Helps Migraines; Clinical Trial Says
New studies show that chiropractic treatment is effective for migraine sufferers. 72% of migraine sufferers experienced either 'substantial' or 'noticeable' improvement after chiropractic treatment, according to clinical trials performed at a university in Australia. This study defies the historical bias against chiropractic that some medical practitioners have maintained. The 123 participants in the study had suffered migraines for an average of 18 years. Approximately 22 per cent of patients had a 60% reduction or be...

6. Accutane Drug and Its Generic Substitutions
Accutane is used to treat skin alternations such as acne pimples and to avoid spots on the face; it also provides a glowing skin. It is a normal desire of every teenager to have a glowing skin without any spots. But a lot of some factors spoil the skin: wrong nutrition, bad environment and oily skin; they cause acne, pimples, and spots on the face, until treated in time. All these facts spoil not only the appearance of the young people but also their self-confidence. Accutane drug is used to minimize the acne on the face....

7. A Worldful of Germs
There are many microscopic organisms and particles around us that can cause serious illness. But some of these organisms can also be beneficial to the human body. Germs are everywhere. You practically live in a world full of germs. No matter how often you wash your hands and how many times you take a bath, you cannot totally get rid of them. But not all germs are harmful. In fact, some germs can keep you healthy. That is why it is very important that you should know which ones are beneficial and which ones can pose danger t...

8. Preventing West Nile Virus
The past few summers, strains of the West Nile Virus have been found in mosquitoes throughout the country. Known to effect humans through infected mosquitoes, the virus can cause severe symptoms including diarrhea, fever, chills, vomiting, and fatigue which can last more than 10 days. Recovery usually consists of a long recuperation marked with fatigue. Prevention is key when it comes to protecting yourself from West Nile virus. Heed the following tips to keep you and your family protected. Insect Repellent...

9. Before You Buy Eyeglasses Online
Buying eyeglasses online could be a good idea. The online stores offering eyeglasses, frames, lense and sunglasses are in plenty and therfore, online shoppers have options to select a right store depending on the price, quality, designs and possibly delivery period. Also, as it is with any other online store for any product, you never have to leave your house or office and with just a few clicks of your mouse, you can get the products delivered right at your doorsteps! However, when it comes to shop for eyeglasses online, in m...

10. Uses of Acupuncture
In light of his new book being released, “Acupuncture Desk Reference”, David J. Kuoch, LAc details effective acupuncture treatments for 5 different symptoms: Arthritis Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and each type is characterized by joint and musculoskeletal pain, often the result of inflammation of the joint lining. Arthritis affects hundreds of millions of people across the globe. App...