The term arthritis is derived from the Greek: arthron meaning joint and it is meaning inflammation.
So, technically speaking, arthritis simply describes a joint that is red, hot, swollen, tender and that is functionally impaired. Arthritis is frequently a chronic illness meaning that it may last for months or years. One of the lesser known forms or arthritis is called psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis is associated with psoriasis, a skin condition that is evidenced by red, raised or patchy areas of skin as well as the classic joint pain symptoms that are common to just about all forms of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a painful, inflammatory condition of the joints that usually (but not always) occurs in association with psoriasis of the skin. However, arthritis is not directly inherited and it is extremely rare for more than one member of a family to be affected.
Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another) and surrounding structures. Arthritis is a common term meaning inflammation of a joint. Arthritis is not one disease with one cause.
Joint swelling is common and the small joints of the hands and feet are those most usually affected, but it can occur in any of the joints. Joint stiffness and pain may be mild one day but become so severe the next that the child cannot move without great difficulty. This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, driving a car and preparing food.
Education is also of great importance, as the patient learns about the arthritic process and how to minimize symptoms and protect the damaged joint surfaces. Most types of arthritis involve joint inflammation. And, unless this inflammatory process is stopped, it will continue to attack the body and cause joint destruction. In addition to joints, the kidneys are a big target of this disease.
When a joint is inflamed, the most comfortable position is for the joint to be bent and, if it is not regularly straightened, it may get stuck in this position. Rheumatoid arthritis not only damages joints but can also affect the muscles, lungs, skin, blood vessels, nerves and eyes. The continuous inflammation in the joints accounts for the damage of joints.
Swelling of the joint is partly due to increased fluid in the joint cavity and partly due to thickening of the lining of the joint capsule (arthritis). Often the same joints on both sides of the body become affected. If the pain is very severe, the muscles surrounding the affected joints contract and stiffen up. Rest decreases the swelling and pain around inflamed joints and reduces fatigue. In some cases, splints may be prescribed to rest joints, hold them in correct positions and prevent muscles around joints from becoming too tight.
If you are overweight, a diet to reduce weight will reduce stress on affected joints. For most people who begin to follow a proper treatment program early in their illness, the amount of permanent joint damage is small. A small minority of patients develop severely deformed joints. The other joints like wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes can also be affected. Two or three joints may be affected at the same time. Operations to replace damaged joints with artificial ones have been done successfully.
In general, infectious arthritis is caused by the spread of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection through the bloodstream to the joint. Infectious arthritis, which is sometimes called septic arthritis or pyogenicarthritis, is a serious infection of the joints characterized by pain, fever, occasional chills, inflammation and swelling in one or more joints, and loss of function in the affected joints. In some cases, surgery is necessary to drain fluid from the infected joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common serious inflammatory form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis often makes joints stiff and restrict their motion if they aren't used regularly. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disorder characterized by female predominance. Rheumatoid arthritis is a specific form of inflammatory arthritis that will be discussed in detail in the next section. Because rheumatoid arthritis is caused by your body attacking itself, it is referred to as an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious chronic disease that can cause crippling and reduce life span optimal treatment is necessary.
In fact 60 percent of all people suffering from the disease are of working age. If arthritis is mild and limited to a few joints and the skin disease is not severe the skin is treated with topical therapies or ultraviolet light and the joint disease is managed with pain relief (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heat and ice), physical therapy and possibly corticosteroid injections into the joint. X-rays taken of the joint in various positions help the physician determine the severity of the disease. Treatment of the condition depends upon the symptoms and stage of the disease.
Research is being done on medications that will slow down the progression of this disease. Some treatments for joint psoriasis are also effective for skin psoriasis so treatment plans may take both skin and joint disease into account. Many patients with psoriatic arthritis have to discontinue or change their work because of the disease. Some forms of this disease occur on one side of the body only, while others develop on both sides. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, meaning it affects the whole body and can result in symptoms like fever, fatigue and weight loss. But with appropriate treatment the disease can be kept under control. There is still no drug or remedy which will wipe out the disease in all cases. In the early stages of the disease with appropriate treatment, the majority of patients improve.
While the condition is usually manageable, it invariably impacts on a patient’s quality of life and includes varying degrees of discomfort and pain. Symptoms of arthritis in the base of the thumb are pain and swelling about the thumb and wrist, particularly with grasp and pinch. For mild-to-moderate symptoms of pain and swelling, treatment consists primarily of anti-inflammatory medication, rest, splinting, and education. Heat and cold treatment are effective means of relaxing muscles and relieving pain in arthritic joints. If you have joints that are persistently painful, stiff or swollen, see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. With appropriate advice and treatment your pain and stiffness can be helped.
The most common forms of arthritis are: • Osteoarthritis • Rheumatoid arthritis • Gout • Ankylosing spondylitis • Juvenile arthritis • Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) • Scleroderma. Most people aren't aware of the fact that there are over one hundred different kinds of arthritis, and each one comes with its own unique set of symptoms. This may be easier said than done however, as many people experience different symptoms, at different rates, and flare-up occurrences typically delay treatment.
In addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying or immuno-suppressive drugs are usually required to prevent serious joint damage in polyarticular disease. This consists of anti-inflammatory drugs which reduce the swelling, pain and stiffness which result from the inflammatory response.
As the population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing. There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a consequence of age, the pain of growing old. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is an important one to make, so careful testing is necessary.
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