| Arthritis is actually a general term for any of about one | | | | different from OA. Here, the synovial membrane |
| hundred different diseases that cause swelling, | | | | becomes inflamed and swollen causing the pain and |
| stiffness and pain in the joints. It is the top cause of | | | | stiffness. Blood flow is increased to the area because |
| disability in the United States, affecting about 40 million | | | | of chemicals released by the inflamed tissue and this |
| people, or forty percent of the population. While | | | | can cause the joint to appear red and feel hot. |
| primarily considered a disease of age, arthritis also | | | | Inflammatory arthritis may be caused by immune |
| affects almost 300,000 children in the U.S. Arthritis | | | | system deficiencies, crystal deposits in the joints, or |
| crosses all boundaries of social strata; economic | | | | infection. |
| status, gender, geographic location and race. | | | | In any case, the patient will tend to favor the painful |
| What exactly is arthritis and how can we avoid and | | | | area, often holding it stiffly to ease the pain. This can |
| treat it? | | | | cause the supporting muscles to weaken from disuse |
| In a normal joint, cartilage cushions the area where the | | | | and also create serious tightness in the tendons that |
| bones meet. Cartilage is a strong, smooth, elastic | | | | support them. All of this combined can cause the joints |
| tissue, which, along with the bone ends is encased in a | | | | to contract or change shape and may result in |
| joint capsule. The joint capsule is filled with synovial | | | | complete loss of movement in the affected joint. |
| fluid, which secretes from the synovial membrane lining | | | | Doctors who treat arthritis, called rheumatologists, have |
| the capsule and further cushions the joint. Arthritis is | | | | a variety of diagnostic tools to use to determine the |
| experienced when anything goes wrong with this | | | | type and severity of a patient's arthritis. As there is |
| system, and pain results. | | | | currently no known cure, treatment is applied to ease |
| Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint | | | | pain and increase mobility. Various pain killing and |
| disease, is the most common form. It is most common | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs; rest and exercise are tools |
| in people over 55 and affects approximately 20 million | | | | available to aid the patient. There are a few drugs for |
| Americans. OA is created by the breakdown of the | | | | specific types of arthritis that can slow the advance of |
| cartilage cushion between the bones, creating friction | | | | the disease. |
| at the bone ends, which manifests as pain and swelling. | | | | Regular, light exercise is a most important key to not |
| In some cases bone spurs will also develop, | | | | just treating, but avoiding arthritis. For patients with |
| exacerbating the problem. It is most commonly found in | | | | arthritis an excellent exercise is swimming, as it allows |
| the large, weight bearing joints of the knees and hips, | | | | activity with little joint pressure. Exercise, plenty of rest, |
| but is also common in the spine, hands and feet. It can | | | | a constant intake of fluids to keep well hydrated and a |
| however, affect any joint in the body. | | | | good diet with supplementation can all help to prevent |
| Rheumatoid, or inflammatory arthritis is somewhat | | | | arthritis. |