| ese modern times, the number of people affected by | | | | because it helps shed extra pounds and eases the |
| arthritis is increasing rapidly. There are millions of | | | | pressure off the joints which helps relieve the pain. |
| patients all over the world. In the USA alone, there are | | | | Avoiding certain foods, such as high-fat meats and |
| more than forty million Americans who suffer from | | | | organ meats have also shown some promise in |
| some form of arthritis and if no measures are taken to | | | | relieving inflammation. |
| control it, more and more people will be suffering from | | | | Aside from having a healthy diet, using supplements |
| it. | | | | may also help. Vitamins, minerals and other |
| Who Are Likely To Be Affected? | | | | supplements such as fish oils may be helpful in |
| Arthritis is not a gender-specific disease and it can | | | | ensuring that the body is healthy. Antioxidants may |
| affect people regardless of their race, location or | | | | also be used to encourage cell repair. |
| socio-economic level. Anybody can get arthritis but it | | | | Is There A Cure? |
| often appears in adults and older people. Arthritis | | | | Unless what you have is an infectious form, don't |
| affects not just humans but animals as well. Dogs in | | | | expect for a cure because none has been discovered |
| their older years, for example, have an increased risk | | | | yet. However, it can be treated and symptoms can be |
| of canine rheumatoid arthritis while older cats may | | | | managed. Treatment consists of medications and |
| develop feline arthritis. When this happens, it is often | | | | therapy that will reduce the symptoms of arthritis and |
| necessary that animals are placed under veterinary | | | | allow the patient better joint mobility and relieve pain, |
| care and symptoms treated with medications and | | | | regardless of which area of the body is affected. |
| therapy. | | | | Most medications are in the form of pain relievers and |
| What Are The Symptoms? | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs. Depending on the form of |
| There are over 100 different types of arthritis and they | | | | arthritis, drugs that retard the disease's progress may |
| are often characterized by swelling, stiffness and pain | | | | also be prescribed. |
| in the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, for example, white | | | | Treating Arthritis |
| blood cells can develop rapidly in the synovial | | | | Drugs are often prescribed to help relieve the |
| membrane found in the cartilage of the joints and | | | | symptoms often associated with arthritis, especially if |
| result in pain and inflammation, making it difficult to | | | | they are severe. Physical therapy might also be used |
| move the joint. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes | | | | in order to improve mobility of the affected area, |
| damaged, which may be replaced by painful bone | | | | especially the knees, ankles, hands, neck and fingers. |
| outgrowths. | | | | Mild, low-impact exercises are preferable to heavy |
| Common Types Of Arthritis | | | | exercises because they are easier on the joints. |
| The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, | | | | Exercises such as yoga, tai chi and walking are |
| rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Almost all types of | | | | beneficial. Water exercises are also an excellent |
| arthritis are noninfectious although there are some | | | | option. For arthritis of the hands where the thumb and |
| which may be spread. | | | | fingers are affected, special exercises may be |
| Lyme disease, an inflammatory form that can be | | | | performed regularly in order to maintain the hand's |
| transmitted by tick bites, is spread through bacterial | | | | ability to flex. |
| infection. If it's untreated, it can lead to inflammation of | | | | Ending Arthritis Pain |
| the joints, specifically the knees. This form, like other | | | | Ending pain is often the goal of arthritis treatment. |
| infectious arthritis types, can be cured with antibiotics. | | | | However, it doesn't have to be the only thing you |
| Preventing Arthritis | | | | should have in mind when dealing with arthritis. |
| Some forms of arthritis, such as gout and infectious | | | | Effective treatment goes beyond just providing relief |
| arthritis, can be prevented through diet and care. Gout, | | | | when pain occurs. It is often a matter of addressing |
| for example, is often the result of excessive intake of | | | | the problem at its roots and not just performing |
| foods containing uric acid, which result in the deposition | | | | corrective measures when the problems begin. This is |
| of crystals in the joints. These crystals cause the pain | | | | why it's important for patients to know that managing |
| and inflammation associated with this form of arthritis. | | | | arthritis is not just about stopping pain but also |
| Diet And Arthritis | | | | preventing it. |
| Maintaining a good diet is doubly beneficial for arthritis | | | | |