Arthritis is not the name of a particular disease. Rather it is a group of rheumatic diseases and some other conditions that results in joint inflammation. Arthritis can result in stiffness, pain and swelling in any part of the body. In certain cases it can be unbearable and can threaten with deadly consequences if affects internal organs, bone and muscles.
Common types of arthritis are Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is a chronic disease that strikes when the immune system of the body wrongly hits the cell lining within the joint, called Synovium. This disease can cause swelling, stiffness, joint pain and joint may stop functioning. Rheumatoid arthritis is often difficult being diagnosed in the beginning, as the symptoms are very slight. Genetic reasons might be the cause of this disease.
Osteoarthritis: This disease is a result of gradual wear and tear of tissues that damages joints leading to pain, swelling, tenderness and reduced functions. In the beginning, this disease is non-inflammatory but gradually it takes on affecting in a large scale. Joints in the hips, knee, hands and spine are mostly affected.
Juvenile Arthritis: Juvenile arthritis is the term applied to all kinds of arthritis that is common in children. Most common form of juvenile arthritis is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that can be further classified as:
Polyarticular – Affecting multiple joints
Pauciarticular – Affecting only a few joints
Systemic – Affecting the whole body.
Psoriatic Arthritis: This disease is quite similar to rheumatoid arthritis and patients with psoriasis may be diagnosed with this disease. In this category of arthritis, the affected parts are the joints and the spine.
Gout: Gout is characterized by pain, redness, warmth and swelling of the joints, particularly in the big toe. Uric acid from the blood gets deposited in the joint and this causes severe pain in gout.
Fibromyalgia: This term signifies pain in ligaments, muscles and tendons. Though it does not cause joint deformities, it is a kind of muscular rheumatism. Some conditions during this syndrome are lack of sleep, pain in the muscle and constant tiredness.
Symptoms of Arthritis:
It is important that you recognize the early symptoms of arthritis though the signs can be vague and difficult to understand. Some of the symptoms of arthritis are:
• Constant joint pain.
• Tenderness and pain in the joint that increases with any physical activity like walking, writing or even getting up from a chair.
• Abnormality in the joints
• Sudden weight loss
• Decrease or failure in the flexibility in a particular joint
• Fever without any cause
• Weakness and tiredness
Diagnosis of Arthritis:
First step of diagnosis involves a detailed medical history from the patient. This is followed by physical examination, which shows the presence of fluid in the joints. Due to this, the joints may pain when moved and pressed. Sometimes deformities may occur if the arthritis is severe and not treated in time. Doctors carry out joint x-rays and blood tests as a part of the diagnosis. Some other tests include examination of fluid taken out from the joint by the help of a needle.
Treatment of Arthritis:
When the particular cause is detected and the severity is determined, treatments can take off accordingly. A treatment plan is worked in accordance with the age and occupation of the patient. Not all arthritis is curable, so the treatment often intends to reduce the pain and also checks further immobilization. Apart from medication, a change in the lifestyle can relieve patients during arthritis. Some kinds of exercises are best suited for this condition improving the mobility of the joints. Heat and cold treatments and switching to healthy diet with lot of antioxidants – fruits and vegetables are some of the means apart from regular medication.
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