| WHAT IS ARTHRITIS ? | | | | MANAGEMENT OPTIONS |
| For most people arthritis pain and inflammation is a | | | | Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a |
| normal process as the body ages. In fact, most people | | | | combination of medication, exercise, rest, |
| over the age of 50 show some signs of this disease. | | | | weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, |
| Joints naturally degenerate over time. | | | | surgery. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will remain |
| Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders | | | | for a long time and possibly for the rest of the patient's |
| that affect the joints and muscles. Arthritis symptoms | | | | remaining life. The treatments will probably change |
| include joint pain, inflammation and limited movement of | | | | over time and medication may be adjusted. |
| joints. When a joint is inflamed it may be swollen, | | | | SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS |
| tender, warm to the touch or red. Surrounding each | | | | There are many different signs and symptoms of |
| joint is a protective capsule holding a lubricating fluid to | | | | arthritis . If one experiences pain, stiffness, or swelling |
| aid in motion. Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, | | | | around a joint for more than two weeks, then he |
| covers most joints to assure an even, fluid motion of | | | | should visit the physician. Only a physician can |
| the joint. With joint arthritis , the cartilage may be | | | | determine if this is because of arthritis . These |
| damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative | | | | symptoms may come up suddenly or slowly over time |
| process or by inflammation making movement painful. | | | | and may also include sleeplessness, fatigue, |
| There are over 100 types of this degenerating | | | | depression, and muscle aches. |
| process and rheumatic diseases including osteoarthritis, | | | | The doctor will confirm the type of problem and will |
| rheumatoid a rthritis , and fibromyalgia. | | | | then prepare the course of treatment. |