Arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions affecting most people over 55 years. Not only affect this age group, but also a percentage of young adults. It is not just a single disease but a group of conditions that can cause harm not only to bone but also to other organs in the body.
Different forms of arthritis manifest different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include persistent joint pain, tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement, swelling indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness and / or heat, pain and stiffness in the body, especially around joints, joint deformity, loss of range of motion or flexibility in a complex, unexplained weight loss, fever, non-specific, and crepitus (crackling sound weird in the joints).
There are over 100 different types of arthritis affects approximately 46 million Americans today. The three most common types are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis is most commonly known as degenerative arthritis. This develops from a simple breakdown of a possible loss of one or cartilage in the joints. Cartilages are mass-based protein that serves as a cushion between the joints. Such attacks of arthritis usually weight-bearing joints such as hands, feet and spine. It is mainly related to aging and more as it progresses over the years. It usually occurs in the 45-60 age range. Men are at greater risk of osteoarthritis before the age of 45. Women, however, are more prone to around 55 years of age, specifically on the hands, feet and knee joints. Severe cases of degenerative arthritis requiring total joint replacement, most of the hip and knee joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect different joints, and as mentioned above, which may affect some organs of the body and even our blood. Mainly affects the synovial lining of the joint. The synovium is a tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints. This problem is presented as a side effect of infection. In this case, the body’s autoimmune system malfunctions and attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and joint damage. Although not as degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, can cause deformities in a series of mild.
Gout is caused by the displacement of uric acid crystals in joints. Also known as hyperuricemia, which literally means high content of uric acid in the blood, is a metabolic disease that accumulates in the blood uric acid to crystallize in joints and other body parts. Chronic attacks of gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid around joints, and in the process of decline of renal function and form kidney stones.
There are different types of treatment for different forms of arthritis. There are medicines available that help in relieving pain of arthritis. Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the affected areas. It must be coupled with constant visits to a physical or occupational therapist to ensure that mobility and range of motion is maintained.
Arthritis is not just a simple pain that we can ignore. The pain itself is difficult to ignore, not to mention the complications that result if it remains untreated. Nobody is safe for arthritis, as there are causes that have yet to be defined. Bottom line is, take care of your body – be aware of their diet and exercise. You never know when this disease is sneaky to catch up with you.