The term arthritis is derived from the Greek: arthron meaning joint and it is meaning inflammation.
So, technically speaking, arthritis simply describes a joint that is red, hot, swollen, tender and that is functionally impaired. Arthritis is frequently a chronic illness meaning that it may last for months or years. One of the lesser known forms or arthritis is called psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis is associated with psoriasis, a skin condition that is evidenced by red, raised or patchy areas of skin as well as the classic joint pain symptoms that are common to just about all forms of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a painful, inflammatory condition of the joints that usually (but not always) occurs in association with psoriasis of the skin. However, arthritis is not directly inherited and it is extremely rare for more than one member of a family to be affected.
Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another) and surrounding structures. Arthritis is a common term meaning inflammation of a joint. Arthritis is not one disease with one cause.
Education is also of great importance, as the patient learns about the arthritic process and how to minimize symptoms and protect the damaged joint surfaces. Most types of arthritis involve joint inflammation. And, unless this inflammatory process is stopped, it will continue to attack the body and cause joint destruction. In addition to joints, the kidneys are a big target of this disease.
When a joint is inflamed, the most comfortable position is for the joint to be bent and, if it is not regularly straightened, it may get stuck in this position. Rheumatoid arthritis not only damages joints but can also affect the muscles, lungs, skin, blood vessels, nerves and eyes. The continuous inflammation in the joints accounts for the damage of joints.
Swelling of the joint is partly due to increased fluid in the joint cavity and partly due to thickening of the lining of the joint capsule (arthritis). Often the same joints on both sides of the body become affected. If the pain is very severe, the muscles surrounding the affected joints contract and stiffen up. Rest decreases the swelling and pain around inflamed joints and reduces fatigue. In some cases, splints may be prescribed to rest joints, hold them in correct positions and prevent muscles around joints from becoming too tight.
If you are overweight, a diet to reduce weight will reduce stress on affected joints. For most people who begin to follow a proper treatment program early in their illness, the amount of permanent joint damage is small. A small minority of patients develop severely deformed joints. The other joints like wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes can also be affected. Two or three joints may be affected at the same time. Operations to replace damaged joints with artificial ones have been done successfully.
In general, infectious arthritis is caused by the spread of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection through the bloodstream to the joint. Infectious arthritis, which is sometimes called septic arthritis or pyogenicarthritis, is a serious infection of the joints characterized by pain, fever, occasional chills, inflammation and swelling in one or more joints, and loss of function in the affected joints. In some cases, surgery is necessary to drain fluid from the infected joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis often makes joints stiff and restrict their motion if they aren't used regularly. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disorder characterized by female predominance. Rheumatoid arthritis is a specific form of inflammatory arthritis that will be discussed in detail in the next section. Because rheumatoid arthritis is caused by your body attacking itself, it is referred to as an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious chronic disease that can cause crippling and reduce life span optimal treatment is necessary.
In fact 60 percent of all people suffering from the disease are of working age. If arthritis is mild and limited to a few joints and the skin disease is not severe the skin is treated with topical therapies or ultraviolet light and the joint disease is managed with pain relief (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heat and ice), physical therapy and possibly corticosteroid injections into the joint. X-rays taken of the joint in various positions help the physician determine the severity of the disease. Treatment of the condition depends upon the symptoms and stage of the disease.
As the population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing. There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a consequence of age, the pain of growing old. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is an important one to make, so careful testing is necessary.
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