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.



Monday, February 26, 2007

Rheumatism


Rheumatism
Article on being Rheumatism by Dr David Delvin GP on retirement-matters.co.uk Do you get rheumatism? Well, so do I! And so, at one time or another, do most people aged over 40.
Source: www.retirement-matters.co.uk

What is Rheumatism?
Brief and Straightforward Guide: What is Rheumatism? Rheumatism is a medical term once frequently used to describe disorders associated with many
Source: www.wisegeek.com

Arthritis and Rheumatism - Information for Sufferers
A guide for patients, includes a searchable glossary.
Source: ourworld.compuserve.com

The European League Against Rheumatism Abstracts2View : Login Page
Welcome to The European League Against Rheumatism Abstracts2View site. This site contains abstracts presented at the following Annual Congresses: 2002 Stockholm, Sweden
Source: www.abstracts2view.com


Get "Arthritis Free For Life!"

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Types of Arthritis - Rheumatic Diseases - Causes - Symptoms


Types of Arthritis - Rheumatic Diseases - Causes - Symptoms
There are over 100 types of arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related conditions. There are over 100 types of arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related conditions.
Source: arthritis.about.com

Heart Care | Acquired Heart Disease | Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic Heart Disease . Signs and Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment. Signs and Symptoms. Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged. Rheumatic
Source: www.ucsfhealth.org

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Rheumatic fever
Includes symptoms, cause, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, complications, and prevention.
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Texas Department of State Health Services, Infectious Disease Control
Rheumatic Fever Links to external sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us


Get "Arthritis Free For Life!"

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Early Infliximab May Put Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Into Remission


Early Infliximab May Put Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Into Remission
Medscape News - After 3 years, 61 of the responders had not relapsed, and 16 were taking no anti-rheumatic therapy at all. Only four had to restart infliximab treatment after a median of 22.5 months after discontinuation. Of the 23 who continued treatment, three
Source: www.medscape.com

Definition of Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
HealthScout - The syndrome was probably first reported more than 100 years ago under the colorful name senile rheumatic gout . Various other names were used until 1957, shortly after an association was noted between PMR and giant cell arteritis (GCA; aka temporal
Source: www.healthscout.com

Arthritis, related conditions cost U.S. $128 billion
CNN - The CDC estimated that 46.1 million people were treated for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in 2003, and 29.5 million of them lost earnings. The government estimates 8 million more people will suffer from arthritis between 2005 and 2015. The
Source: www.cnn.com


Get "Arthritis Free For Life!"

free log