| Pain in the muscles and joints is frequently termed | | | | myalgia seldom progress to a serious condition. the |
| "arthritis" by patients and sometimes by doctors, but | | | | consequences of arthritis occur very slowly and are |
| most "arthritis" is not arthritis at all. True arthritis affects | | | | often better prevented than corrected. Arthritis, |
| the joints, and the joints are red, warm, swollen, and | | | | arthralgia, and myalgia result in more lost work days |
| painful to move. "Arthralgia" means pain without | | | | due to sickness than any other category of disease. |
| inflammation in the joints. "Myalgia" means pain in the | | | | Only rarely does a patient with arthritis or arthralgia |
| muscles. these pains are not arthritis but can be very | | | | need to be seen by a physician immediately. Home |
| bothersome. Usually they are not serious and will go | | | | treatment will usually resolve the problem. The relative |
| away. They can be caused by tension, virus infections, | | | | emergencies are: (1) infection, (2) nerve damage, (3) |
| unusual exertion, accidents, or they can have no | | | | fractures near a joint, and (4) gout. In the first three, |
| obvious cause. Only seldom do they indicate a serious | | | | serious damage may result if the joint is neglected; and |
| disease. | | | | in the fourth, the pain is so intense that immediate help |
| There are over 100 types of arthritis and rheumatism. | | | | is needed. Fever, weight loss, or other symptoms |
| The four most common types are osteoarthritis, | | | | besides pain, or pain persisting for six weeks or more |
| rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and spondylitis. Osteoarthritis | | | | indicates the need to see the doctor if there is no |
| is usually not serious, occurs in later life, and frequently | | | | obvious minor cause for these symptoms. |
| causes knobby swelling of the end joints of the fingers. | | | | Both rest and exercise are important in treating muscle |
| Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in middle or later life | | | | and joint pain. Try to relax and gently stretch the |
| and may cause you to feel sick and stiff all over in | | | | involved areas. Warm baths, massage, and stretching |
| addition to the joint problems. Gout occurs mostly in | | | | exercises should be used as frequently as possible. |
| men, with sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling, | | | | Sponge-soled shoes may help if you walk or stand on |
| usually in one joint at a time-frequently the big toe, the | | | | hard floors. Better light to help you relax a bit farther |
| ankle, or the knee. Spondylitis affects the back and | | | | from the page or a better chair may help if you spend |
| joints of the low back and may be suspected if your | | | | a lot of time at a desk. Regular exercise, slowly |
| back is sore for a long time, particularly stiff in the | | | | increased from every gentle move to more vigorous, |
| morning, and you are unable to touch your toes. | | | | can help restore the proper muscle tone; I recommend |
| Arthralgia and myalgia syndromes are much more | | | | walking, bicycling, and swimming. Aspirin and ibuprofen |
| common than true arthritis. Doctors often do not agree | | | | are available over the counter and may be used in low |
| on diagnostic terms in this area, and two doctors may | | | | to moderate doses. You can significantly reduce the |
| give different names to your problem. Arthralgia and | | | | chance of muscle and joint pain with these treatments. |