| Arthritis is a common term that refers to a category | | | | in the body. |
| of diseases that involves damage to the joints of the | | | | Osteoarthritis normally occurs as people get older, on |
| body. I'm sure you know someone personally or know | | | | average after age 55. Osteoarthritis occurs in the |
| of someone that has some type of arthritis, especially | | | | larger joints of the body that are weight bearing such |
| since there are over 100 different types and because | | | | as the hips, knees, or the spine. Osteoarthritis is usually |
| it is so prevalent not only to adults but in children as | | | | caused from normal wear and tear of the joint but can |
| well. Arthritis main symptom is constant pain. This pain | | | | be brought on through prior injury, obesity, and |
| is normally associated to inflammation or swelling in the | | | | sedentary lifestyle. Degeneration occurs initially in the |
| joint. | | | | cartilage and leads to the opposite bones grinding into |
| The human body is typically made up of on average | | | | each other. This can cause immense pain without |
| 200-300 joints (depending upon the number of bones | | | | ceasing. Pain of this natural can be debilitating and |
| and the classification of a joint). A joint is the site | | | | prevents the person from not only exercising but doing |
| where two or more bones meet. At this juncture is | | | | any daily activities. Although, there is no cure for |
| what's called a joint capsule, which encompasses the | | | | osteoarthritis treatments are available to help the |
| joint where the bones meet. Inside this capsule is | | | | symptoms and prevent further worsening. For the |
| what's called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid keeps the joint | | | | obese weight loss is the first step to decreasing the |
| moving freely. However over time this fluid can | | | | pain. Physical therapy, pain medications and even joint |
| decrease because of age, improper nutrition, injury or | | | | replacement are additional options for people who |
| toxins. This can cause arthritis to form within the joint. | | | | suffer from osteoarthritis. |
| Pain from arthritis is normally caused by inflammation in | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand, occurs for no |
| the joint. Inflammation is the body's own reaction to | | | | known reason. The body's immune system begins to |
| remove harmful stimuli and initiate healing. Although, | | | | attack the joint tissue, lining and cartilage. Rheumatoid |
| inflammation is an integral part of the healing process, | | | | arthritis usually affects the fingers, wrists, knees, and |
| the body regulates it very closely because if left | | | | elbows. Where as osteoarthritis normally occurs later |
| unmanaged inflammation can lead to other diseases | | | | in life rheumatoid arthritis normally arises around age 20 |
| such as arthritis. Inflammation in the joints is normally | | | | and up. In rare cases children can be affected with |
| caused by damage or injury, daily wear and tear, or | | | | rheumatoid and presents as a skin rash, fever, pain |
| muscle strains. | | | | and disability. Although there is no cure for rheumatoid |
| To determine the different types of arthritis it is | | | | arthritis the treatment revolves around easing the |
| important to look at the symptoms, the duration of the | | | | symptoms. There are several drug regimens that |
| symptoms, the degree of symptoms, the symptom | | | | include steroids and antibodies. |
| patterns and location. Arthritis symptoms include inability | | | | About 16 percent of Americans are suffering from |
| to use extremities, fatigue, fever, weight loss, poor | | | | one form or another of arthritis. Most forms of arthritis |
| sleep, muscle aches and pains, tenderness, stiffness, | | | | can lead to disability throughout life. Arthritis can cause |
| and difficulty in movement of a joint. The two most | | | | severe limitations in functioning and mobility. Since it has |
| prevalent types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and | | | | such debilitating effects relief is the most important |
| Rheumatoid arthritis. These types of arthritis occur for | | | | aspect to for arthritis sufferers. |
| completely separate reasons and in different locations | | | | |