What Is Arthritis

What is Arthritis

Arthritis ('arth' meaning joint, 'itis' meaning inflammation) isn't a one-note story or even a few variations on a single theme; it actually consists of more than 100 different conditions.These can be anything from relatively mild forms of tendonitis (as in 'tennis elbow') and bursitis to crippling systemic forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

There are pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and arthritis-related disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, that involve every part of the body.

There are forms of the disease, such as gout, which almost nobody connects with arthritis, and there are other conditions - like osteoarthritis, the misnamed 'wear and tear' arthritis - that a good many people think is the only form of the disease.

Click here to read A 7-Step Plan for Pain-Free Arthritis

About Arthritis

The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation, but it’s used to refer to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

These diseases might affect not just the joints, but also other parts of the body, including supporting structures such as muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments, as well as some internal organs.

Two of the most common forms of arthritis cause many of us a great deal of pain: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How is Arthritis diagnosed?

Diagnosing can be difficult because some symptoms are common to many different diseases. Your health care provider will first do a complete physical exam, looking for any swelling, redness, warmth, deformity, ease of movement, and tenderness in your joints.

Your heart, lungs, eyes, ears, throat and other parts of your body may be examined as well. This is because some types of arthritis can affect your organs.

Lab tests may also be ordered and samples of blood, urine or synovial (joint) fluid may be taken. Your doctor may have you also see a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis.

Click here to read The Arthritis Helpbook: A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia

Warning Signs of Arthritis

Any recurring joints symptoms (lasting longer than 6 weeks) should be checked with a doctor, no matter how mild or "temporary."

A physical examination, X-ray studies, and specific laboratory test can distinguish arthritis from other ailments and can identify the specific type of arthritis.

Important arthritis warning signs are:
• Pain, tenderness, or swelling in one or more joints.
• Pain and stiffness in the morning.
• Recurring or persistent pain and stiffness in the neck, lower back, or knees.
• Symptoms such as these that go away for a week or a month but return.

Arthritis Treatment

Prevailing myths inaccurately portray arthritis as an inevitable part of aging that must be endured. On the contrary, some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, can be prevented with weight control and precautions to avoid certain occupational and sports injuries.

Similarly, the pain and disability accompanying all types of arthritis can be minimized through early diagnosis and appropriate management, including weight control, physical activity, self-management, physical and occupational therapy and joint replacement surgery.

Click Here to read about Arthritis Tretament Options

What are the treatments and drugs to treat arthritis?

The goals of arthritis treatment are simple:
• Relief arthritis pain
• Minimize joint stiffness
• Reduce inflammation
• Preserve muscle and joint function
• Maintain a normal lifestyle
• Minimize side effects of arthritis medication.

A basic common sense approach achieves these goals for a majority of patients. Although this approach is not an arthritis cure, it helps patients maintain their quality of life. This arthritis treatment approach consists of
• adequate rest
• anti-inflammatory therapy
• physical therapy to maintain joint function
• drug therapy to slow the progression of the disease (in some patients).

One of the most important aspects of arthritis relief is the control of inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help control these symptoms. There are several types of these arthritis medicines. Some of these medicines are safer to use than others.

NSAIDs include salicylates, traditional NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. Aspirin is a salicylate. Traditional NSAIDs are medicines like over-the-counter Motrin, Advil, and other ibuprofen containing brands and Aleve and other naproxen/naproxen sodium containing brands. Other drugs in this NSAID class include ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, oraprozin, nabumetone, tolmetin, indomethacin, sulindac, piroxicam, diclofenac, diflunisal, and etodolac. Aspirin and NSAIDs can cause GI upset, bleeding and ulcers in some patients.

COX-2 inhibitors are newer agents which bind only to COX-2 receptors. COX-2 inhibitors are less likely to cause GI symptoms than traditional NSAIDs. However, COX-2 inhibitors may not be safe choices for all patients. Recently, Vioxx, a popular COX-2 inhibitor was removed from the market due to increased risks of stroke and heart attack with long term use. Another COX-2 inhibitor, Bextra, may cause similar side effects. Celebrex, a third COX-2 inhibitor, may be a safer alternative.

It is important to remember that these drugs do not modify the progression of the disease, but simply help with pain and inflammation, which can significantly improve the patient's quality of life.

Other types of arthritis medication are the disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as hydroxychloroquine, gold, penicillamine, and the immunosuppressive agents methotrexate, and azathioprine. These drugs can help slow the progress of the disease. Because these drugs have severe side effects for some patients, it is important that the patient be followed closely by their physician.

Want to find out more? - Search Here

Want your own web site and a FREE domain name - Click here - From $9.90 per month plus FREE domain name.

Read other health related sites

Prescription drugs and Tramadol Buy cheap Tramadol from Pharmacy Center

Please read our Disclaimer

This site does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. The site and its services, including the information above, are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information on this site. Medical information changes rapidly and while we make efforts to update the content on the site, some information may be out of date. The information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.