Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This can be felt in the person's joints, skin and organs inside the body. Should the person feel anything wrong, it is advisable to go straight to the doctor.
Doctors have discovered that there are over 100 types of arthritis. Given the number, the doctor will not be able to know which one is affecting the person without an examination.
There are 2 common forms of arthritis. The first is rheumatoid arthritis which is considered a chronic disease. There is inflammation in the joints caused by cartilage damage. Anyone who has this will suffer long term joint damage that will lead to chronic pain and disability. Pain is usually felt when waking up in the morning and will gradually disappear during the day.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a problem that will not go away. This happens in three stages. The first is swelling. The second is the rapid division and growth of cells. The third is when these cells release enzymes that will eat the bone causing the joint to lose shape until the person will not be able to move it anymore.
Since this is systemic disease, it can spread and affect other organs in the body. The best way to prevent is from happening is detecting it early to prevent the person from being disabled.
This can be treated with proper medication and therapy. There many drugs available that the patient can use. Some drugs offer pain relief to reduce the inflammation. Others can just do one function.
The second is called osteoarthritis. This happens more often than rheumatoid arthritis but unlike the first, there is no inflammation present. The cartilage in the joint is damaged and will eventually degenerate. Pain will slightly be felt when the person gets up but this will hurt later on during the day.
Osteoarthritis can either be primary or secondary. When it is primary, it is often associated with age. It is similar to a car where the parts have to be replaced due to wear and tear. Doctors consider this to be normal as people grow older.
The secondary type is often associated with something else that has caused this to happen. Some of these factors are an injury that took place, heredity, obesity and bone density.
Osteoarthritis can be treated with medication, exercise, weight control, joint protection, physical and occupational therapy. This is done to relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease.
Both of these are caused by different things. The common thing between these 2 types is that joint pain can happen anywhere in the body.
Given the many medications available to treat this disease, the patient has to be aware of the side effects of each before choosing which one to use. The doctor should explain these to the person in order to make the right decision.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. What is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis? Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a form of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger that causes inflammation and stiffness of joints for more than six weeks. ... Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime, children ...
Conditions InDepth: Rheumatoid Arthritis ... Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints and other organs ... Genes people with rheumatoid arthritis may have a specific genetic defect that ...
Rheumatoid Arthritis | Athritis Symptoms | Athritis Treatment Information on rheumatoid arthritis plus information on what is arthritis, types of arthritis, arthritis symptoms, arthritis relief, arthritis treatment, arthritis cure, arthritis drugs, arthritis diet, arthritis pain, degenerative arthritis, and... you should know about rheumatoid arthritis! Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common ...
Frequently Asked Questions - Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics October 9, 2005. Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics. with. Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in joints. That inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling and pain. ... warmth, swelling and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that ... knees). This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis ...
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