| Arthritis, which affects the musculoskeletal system, | | | | body such as the hip, shoulder or knee. Or it can be |
| generally refers to the slow erosion over time of the | | | | experienced as a more generalized condition |
| cushioning cartilage that is situated in the area | | | | throughout the body as a whole, generally affecting |
| between the bony joints and which normally protects | | | | the muscles and soft tissues. Fibromyalgia or |
| them as they move against each other during normal | | | | inflammatory Rheumatoid Arthritis would be a |
| exercise. | | | | common type of arthritis under this category, as well |
| When I was eventually diagnosed with this condition I | | | | as gout and as the condition varies so would the |
| was told I must have had it for about 15 years | | | | treatment although it is possible to have more than one |
| although for much of that time I didn't know I had a | | | | type of arthritis at the same time requiring several |
| problem. It is not always immediately apparent even | | | | different approaches. |
| though early arthritic symptoms can sometimes include | | | | This condition can start as early as infancy or |
| some stiffness and restriction in movement. By the | | | | childhood although it is not so common at this stage of |
| time it eventually shows up or is diagnosed, often the | | | | life. It is much more common among adults in the over |
| damage has been done, is irreversible and can only be | | | | 60's, and shows up mostly in the form of osteoarthritis. |
| corrected by surgery. | | | | As the American population ages, the number of |
| So prevention is definitely better than cure in this case | | | | people suffering with it is increasing and it is considered |
| and needs to involve taking special care to look after | | | | to be more common amongst people who have |
| the cartilage in your body. As in the case of all living | | | | practised high impact sports for some time, thus |
| cells, specialised cartilage cells called chondrocytes | | | | increasing the wear and tear on the joints. The prime |
| normally go through a natural and continuous process | | | | cause of disability in the United States of America |
| of dying and being constantly replaced and require the | | | | these days is considered to be arthritis. |
| right nutrients and environment to thrive. | | | | If you want to help prevent the onset of this debilitating |
| In the case of Rheumatoid arthritis or following an | | | | and very common and painful disease I recommend |
| injury however, inflammation can arise which produces | | | | you take the time to follow a few easy and simple, |
| an environment that is detrimental to and can attack | | | | yet possibly life-changing steps. |
| and kill the cartilage cells more quickly than the body | | | | * Watch your diet and seek to maintain your |
| can replace them, especially if there aren't enough of | | | | appropriate ideal weight |
| the right nutrients available within the body to make | | | | * Regularly consume plenty of fresh vegetables and |
| joint repair feasible. | | | | fruit. |
| Arthritis can be a localized to one or more joints in the | | | | |