| Arthritis is the disease basically associated with the old | | | | Arthritis is a dangerous disease and in more intense |
| people but the children may be affected by this | | | | cases it can result in severe deformities. The majority |
| disease. People of the age group 65 are mostly | | | | of the individuals suffering from the rheumatoid arthritis |
| affected by arthritis in North America and they | | | | have deformed fingers. The deformity may also be |
| together constitute 70% of the total population. | | | | seen in the wrist joint so it cannot be moved properly. |
| Women are at the major risk of getting affected by | | | | Other problems include appearance of carpal tunnel |
| arthritis as compared to the men and this disease is | | | | syndrome due to nerve entrapment. In later cases the |
| more prevalent in the women of all ethnic races and | | | | sensation of the fingers also gets lost. Infectious |
| cultures. According to an estimate about 46 million of | | | | arthritis is another form of severe arthritis. It is |
| people USA are suffering from this disease and the | | | | characterized by appearance of sudden chills, fever |
| number increases every year. About one million people | | | | and joint pain. This condition may be caused by |
| are admitted to the hospital just because of the | | | | bacteria. This disease can be easily diagnosed and |
| problems they face because of arthritis. | | | | prevented from becoming intense. Psoriasis is another |
| Recital | | | | form of arthritis. In this case first the patient develops |
| All the persons suffering from arthritis complain the | | | | skin problems followed by arthritis. Symptoms include |
| problem of extreme pain. The pain may be different | | | | joint pain, stiffness and swelling. There is no cure for |
| according to the location and the individual. Rheumatoid | | | | this disease and this occurs on a small scale. Lupus is |
| arthritis is very worse in the morning and is | | | | a collagen vascular disorder that can be frequently |
| characterized by stiffness. In the earlier stages the | | | | found associated with arthritis. The symptoms of lupus |
| symptoms cannot be easily recognized. In the old | | | | include skin rash, extreme photosensitivity, hair loss, |
| individuals and the children pain may not be the major | | | | kidney problems, lung fibrosis and constant joint pain. |
| diagnostic feature as the old people move little and the | | | | Another problem that has been found associated with |
| children refuse to move the limb when it is paining. | | | | arthritis is gout which arises due to the deposition of |
| Important features of arthritis include speed and time | | | | uric acid crystals in the joints leading to inflammation. |
| of onset, pattern of joint movement, symmetry of | | | | The joints lose their activity and often swell. |
| symptoms, early morning stiffness, locking with | | | | Inhibition |
| inactivity, tenderness and other systemic factors. | | | | Rheumatoid and the osteoarthritis are not curable but |
| Physical examination and the radiography may be | | | | one can prevent himself from being affected by |
| helpful in the diagnosis of the disease. Arthritis has | | | | physical therapy, losing weight and eating healthy. The |
| been known from prehistoric times. Extra articular | | | | individuals who feel pain in the joints must immediately |
| features of arthritis or joint disease include cutaneous | | | | consult the physicians so that the treatment can be |
| nodules, oedema, ocular inflammation, diarrhea, bursitis, | | | | started as soon as possible in order to prevent the |
| lymphadenopathy and urethritis. Blood tests indicate the | | | | disorder from becoming intense. |
| presence of rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor | | | | Ministration |
| (ANF) and extractable nuclear antigen. | | | | Once arthritis is diagnosed treatments are available for |
| Malady | | | | a number of symptoms that are frequently |
| In USA arthritis is the major cause of disability among | | | | experienced. Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are not |
| the individuals and 20 million people are dependent | | | | curable. The treatments used against them can help in |
| upon the doctors and the physicians for their survival. It | | | | relieving pain for a short period but complete relief is |
| has been found that the 50% of an individual's salary | | | | not possible. Treatments include physical therapy, |
| who is suffering from arthritis is lost in the treatment of | | | | changing the lifestyle, orthopedic bracing, medications |
| arthritis. The ability of a person to remain active is lost | | | | and dietary supplements. Arthroplasty also called joint |
| completely. Some also suffer from obesity, high | | | | replacement surgery can also be performed. Physical |
| cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Depression may | | | | exercise has given better results in treatment of |
| also be found in such individuals. | | | | arthritis. |
| Indications | | | | Medications |
| Apart from the type of arthritis the common | | | | Physicians generally start the treatment with the use |
| symptoms are pain, joint stiffness and swelling and a | | | | of drugs. The first choice of drugs is the non-steroidal |
| persisting pain around the joints. Other symptoms | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen and |
| include inability to walk and move hands, malaise and | | | | tramadol are the general pain killers which are basically |
| feeling of tiredness, fever, weight loss, poor sleep, | | | | used. The drugs although effective are also |
| muscle ache, tenderness and difficulty in moving the | | | | associated with a number of side-effects like the |
| joints. | | | | abdominal pain, bleeding, liver and kidney damage and |
| Types | | | | ulcers. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | cannot be used for prolonged periods without the |
| It is a disorder where the body starts destroying its | | | | prescription of the physician. Corticosteroids are |
| own tissues for some unknown reasons. The attack is | | | | presently being used for the treatment of arthritis. |
| not only restricted to the joints but also to other parts | | | | They help in reducing the inflammation and also |
| of the body. The major damage is caused to the lining | | | | prevent the joint damage. Corticosteroids are |
| of the joints and the cartilage resulting in the erosion of | | | | associated with a number of side effects like ulcers, |
| two opposing bones. The joints of the fingers, knee, | | | | hypertension, cataracts, diabetes, skin bruising, and |
| wrists and elbows are affected in the rheumatoid | | | | weight gain. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs |
| arthritis. The disease is having symmetry and causes | | | | (DMARDs) is generally used for the treatment for the |
| severe deformity in few years. It basically affects the | | | | rheumatoid arthritis as they are helpful in preventing the |
| people of age group 20 or more. This disorder in | | | | joint damage. The commonly used DMARDs are |
| children causes pain, fever, skin rashes and limitations | | | | methotrexate, hydrochloroquineand minocycline. They |
| on the day to day activities. Actual cause rheumatoid | | | | are also having many side effects in the form of liver |
| arthritis is not known till present but the scientists are | | | | and kidney damage, bone marrow suppression and |
| very actively engaged in finding out the treatments as | | | | possibility of other infections. |
| possible for this disorder. The drugs that are | | | | Immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and |
| administered against rheumatoid arthritis include | | | | cyclophosphamide can be taken for getting relief from |
| intravenous injections of either corticosteroids or | | | | inflammation. These drugs make an individual more |
| monoclonal antibodies. Remicade is a drug which is | | | | prone to other infections. Tumor necrosis factor |
| presently being used for the treatment of rheumatoid | | | | inhibitors have been used for getting relief from |
| arthritis and can be effective for short term only. | | | | inflammation and joint pain. They are also having some |
| Surgery can be done to replace the affected joint but | | | | side effects as a person becomes susceptible to the |
| there is no complete cure of the disorder. Other | | | | risk of heart disease and other infections. |
| dangerous symptoms can also develop in later stages | | | | Occupational therapy and the physical therapy can |
| which include heart problems, gait abnormality and skin | | | | help the people suffering from arthritis. Physical therapy |
| nodules. | | | | can teach an affected individual how to relax the limb |
| Osteoarthritis | | | | without damaging the joints. It can also provide splint |
| It affects the larger joints of the body like that of the | | | | and braces for the joints. Physical therapy also |
| back, hip or the knees. This is generally the result of | | | | teaches how to drive the car, take bath and perform |
| the wear and tear of the joints. It begins in the cartilage | | | | household work. Occupational therapy teaches how to |
| and results in the erosion of two opposing bones. It | | | | reduce on the joints and perform the daily activities. |
| starts with a minor pain which is experiences while | | | | Physical therapy also makes use of ice, heating pads |
| walking and the pain becomes continuous during the | | | | and ultrasound guided massage therapy. Both these |
| night. The pain causes hindrance in the daily activity of | | | | therapies help an individual to remain free from some |
| the individual. It is basically a disorder very common | | | | of the difficulties of arthritis. |
| among the old people especially the women of the | | | | It can be concluded that arthritis is a very painful |
| age group 65. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured but can | | | | disease affecting the joints and there no complete |
| be prevented from becoming worse. Weight loss is | | | | cure for it only one can practice the use of physical |
| the most common feature of this disease. Physical | | | | and occupational therapy. Drugs can be helpful but are |
| therapy of the joints may be helpful in getting some | | | | at risk and make an individual more prone to other |
| relief. Joint replacement may be of little help. | | | | infections. |
| Severe Arthritis | | | | |