Arthritis & Rheumatism

There are over 100 types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. This site provides the latest arthritic and rheumatic information including the treatment options available.



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.



Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Rheumatism - Drug Could Help Get Gout Out


Drug Could Help Get Gout Out
ABCNEWS.com - Drug Could Help Get Gout Out Nov. 16 - The Impact of Pain on Sleep Do You Have Arthritis? Alternative Therapies for Arthritis Arthritis: Email Q & A Heroin and Its Cousins: Recognizing Opioid Abuse WEDNESDAY, Nov.

Etanercept Plus Methotrexate Effective Therapy for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Presented at ACR
Doctors Guide - Until now, no study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of etanercept plus methotrexate in JIA, said Gerd Horneff, MD, Rheumatologist, Asklepions Clinic, Sakt Augustin, Germany, during his presentation on November 17th. symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared to methotrexate monotherapy treatment of polyarticular juvenile arthritis, but research in patients with rheumatoid

New Zealand doctors believe cannabis-based drugs can relieve arthritis pain
NewsTarget - To learn more on this topic, be sure to also read the related article, Revealed: which fruit and vegetable juices alleviate arthritis pain without drugs or surgery. a cannabis-based medicine, to arthritis patients and found the drug effective

Painkiller may aid dementia patients
MSNBC - But Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can get in the way of diagnosing and treating chronic pain. problem for elderly adults, stemming from conditions such as arthritis, bone fractures and nerve damage from diabetes

Downward Mobility For Elderly
Hartford Courant - By HILARY WALDMAN, Courant Staff Writer The first time Mom loses her house keys or momentarily forgets her favorite grandchild's middle name, family members often panic. of these problems are caused by diseases such as Parkinson's or arthritis. But for most people, it is impossible to

Switching from Methotrexate to Etanercept (Enbrel) Appears Efficacious and Safe for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patie
Doctors Guide - After 16 weeks we found that patients fared just as well with monotherapy on etanercept,' Dr. SAN DIEGO, CA -- November 22, 2005 -- Rheumatoid arthritis patients who respond inadequately to methotrexate monotherapy


Get "Arthritis Free For Life!"

free log