Arthritis Basics

Arthritis Basics

 

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Arthritis Basics


Arthritis affects people in a variety of ways. Joints may be stiff and creak. For others who suffer from arthritis, joints might crack suddenly, like knees upon standing. For many arthritis sufferers, pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar.

Whats it all about? Lets take a look at the basics of arthritis and learn more.

Arthritis actually means joint inflammation and has over 100 related conditions or forms of the disease. If arthritis is left untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be reversed. Therefore, early detection of arthritis and arthritis treatment are important.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both type of arthritis have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can be osteoarthritis (OA). What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands as well. And, only in the later stages of osteoarthritis will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.

The second type, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), refers to the bodys immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, rheumatoid arthritis most often starts in a persons hands, wrists and feet. Then rheumatoid arthritis advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.

Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever, and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.

A difference in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to note is with swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, people report soft and squishy swelling. While with osteoarthritis, people report hard and bony swelling.

Another difference between the two types of arthritis is that a person is more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis if a sibling or parent had it. While a person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis.

Arthritis can affect any age group. However, while there is no specific age for arthritis sufferers, arthritis seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.

And, while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of osteoarthritis cases (or just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of rheumatoid arthritis cases occur with women.

Furthermore, your health, particularly your weight, plays a role in the development of arthritis. People with excess weight tend to develop osteoarthritis, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk of arthritis, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.

Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options, the four main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude, and rest. Education also plays a huge role to dispel old wives tales and myths that nothing can be done about arthritis.

If you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice. The sooner you detect the arthritis and the type of arthritis the better off youll be. Furthermore, your symptoms may not be caused by arthritis, but may be caused by something else like a virus or tendonitis or other similar problem that could potentially worsen if left untreated.

Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler

About The Author

Adam Waxler publishes a series of health & fitness information products and web sites including his new resource filled with with FREE articles and tips on Arthritis Pain Relief & Prevention @ http://www.1-800-health-teacher.com/arthritis.

Arthritis Basics
 

  • What type of arthritis do you have?
    When the body has an excess of uric acid, which it cant eliminate through normal channels of elimination- the kidney the uric acid settles in the joints and soft tissue causing pain.Gout is more common with men, people with high blood pressure, alcoholics, diabetics, and obesity. Arthritis dates back to prehistoric times and is seen all through the ages in the joints of the skeleton remains.Most of you will Ahave problems with your joints and it may be arthritis. For more information on arthritis go to:. Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist.

  • Arthritis Basics
    Joints may be stiff and creak. Lets take a look at the basics of arthritis and learn more. However, while there is no specific age for arthritis sufferers, arthritis seems to focus on those over 45 years of age. A difference in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to note is with swelling. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

  • Arthritis-Fighting Drugs: The Ulcer Connection
    Most osteoarthritis sufferers get great results and there is absolutely no ulcer risk involved. No Fun and They can be Yours Our stomachs have natural bicarbonate that protects us from ulcers. When you listen to television commercials, they talk about Cox-I and Cox-II inhibitors.

  • Searching for Osteoarthritis Pain Relief?
    These drugs can significantly increase the risk for stroke and heart attack. Acetaminophen is also found in other pain medications such as Darvocet, Percocet, and Tylenol Cold. However, good surgical candidates are usually considered ideal for surgery. Exercising regularly can help maintain mobility of the joint.

  • Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthritis Science or Speculation
    All but two showed significant improvement in articular mobility (80% or better) and reduction of pain (70% or better). The question is, are there any scientific studies to back up any of these claims? There are a number of Doctors sharing the results they are having with their patients but so does every other wonder-working product. The results showed that over 87% of the subjects had greater than 50% recovery and over 65% of those showed from 75% - 100% recovery following a sixteen day regimen. Advanced Medical Systems & Design, Ltd completed the last study I would like to mention in Oct 2001.

  • A widespread link between heart disease, arthritis, and cancer now seems treatable
    Calcification can sometimes be a disease on its own, but is more frequently found in other illnesses. Many arthritis sufferers who have calcium deposits go on to develop heart disease, but until recently the link has never been understood. Kidney stones are usually calcified at the center. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Douglas Mulhall, nanotechnology journalist, is co-author with biological engineer Katja Hansen of THE CALCIUM BOMB:. The deposits show up as spots on mammograms and can be mistaken for cancer.

  • What You Should Know About Arthritis
    About The Author Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. Should the person feel anything wrong, it is advisable to go straight to the doctor. There many drugs available that the patient can use. Anyone who has this will suffer long term joint damage that will lead to chronic pain and disability. Pain will slightly be felt when the person gets up but this will hurt later on during the day.

  • Using essential fatty acids for reducing arthritis joint pain
    In some cases the cartilage that coats the bone ends, wears down and joints then rub bone to bone causing extreme pain.Using the essential fatty acids provides lubrication for the joints as the move against each other. This gives you the health benefits that these different oil provide.One additional benefit to using these oils is the coating protection that GLA has in the stomach lining.The standard treatment for arthritis is the use of NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. He writes a newsletter called "Natural Remedies Thatwork.com".

  • Combat Arthritis Pain With A Natural Arthritis Remedy
    There is also evidence to indicate that food allergies play a strong role in development of arthritis. At the same time, changing the diet to exclude inflammatory foods and eat more naturally may be a strong factor in reducing arthritis symptoms. Nutrients that have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis include zinc, selenium, manganese, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and vitamin E.