| What is arthritis and what causes it? There are | | | | destruction. Both types of arthritis cause stiffness, |
| ineffective that save treatments for relief. Arthritis is | | | | tenderness and joint inflammation. For some people, |
| actually a family of diseases, with osteoarthritis and | | | | this pain becomes severe, causing limited motion, which |
| rheumatoid arthritis being the most comment. There is | | | | often adversely affect quality of life. Obesity |
| often confusion between the two, which adds to the | | | | exacerbates both types by placing additional stress on |
| confusion of what to do for treatment and even | | | | the joints. Even a few extra pounds can't make |
| prevention. | | | | symptoms worse. |
| Osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis earns its | | | | Diet affects both types of arthritis, but more so for |
| nickname "the wear and tear arthritis". It usually affects | | | | rheumatoid. This is important to know. There are |
| the larger joints, such as hips and knees, but can also | | | | studies showing potentially deadly side effects of |
| involve the hands and fingers. The pain associated | | | | prescription drugs commonly used for the treatment of |
| with osteo arthritis is generally caused by the | | | | arthritis, such as Vioxx and Celebrex and other |
| deterioration of the cartilage that cushions the joints. | | | | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of these |
| The most common type of joint disease, osteoarthritis | | | | studies, many doctors have stopped using these drugs. |
| is often associated with aging. Rheumatoid arthritis, on | | | | The good news is there are safer and more effective |
| the other hand, is an autoimmune disease, where the | | | | treatments to reduce the inflammation that causes the |
| immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own | | | | pain associated with arthritis. |
| tissues, resulting in a joint inflammation and tissue | | | | |