Arthritis

Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness of the joints. It sometimes also causes redness or swelling. In severe cases, joints may become deformed.

There are different kinds of arthritis. Two common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of osteoarthritis begin to appear by middle age. Most people over age 60 have some osteoarthritis, although they may not have symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in early adulthood or middle age. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are three times more common in women than in men.

Examples of other forms of arthritis include gout and arthritis, which occur after an injury or with infections such as gonorrhea.

How does it occur?

Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the cartilage cushioning in joints. It can also cause the bones in joints to become rough. Osteoarthritis occurs most often in weight-bearing joints, such as the spine, knees, and hips. It also often affects the fingers.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's defenses against infection attack the body's own tissue. It causes inflammation (redness and swelling), stiffness, and deformity, especially in the joints of the hands, arms, and feet.

What are the symptoms?

Possible symptoms of arthritis include:

• bullet mild to severe pain in joints
• bullet red, swollen joints
• bullet stiffness and limited movement, especially in the mornings
• bullet deformity

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. Blood tests and X-rays may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis measure the extent of the disease.

How long will the effects last?

If you have arthritis, you will probably have it for the rest of your life. How often you have symptoms of arthritis depends, at least in part, on the type of arthritis you have. You might be reminded of the arthritis every time you use the affected joints. Or, you may have periods when you have symptoms and other times when you do not.

How can I take care of myself?

• bullet Take the medication your doctor recommends for controlling your arthritis.
• bullet Follow your doctor's advice for weight control if you are overweight.
• bullet Do the exercises recommended by your physical therapist.
• bullet Keep your body healthy by eating a healthy, varied, low-fat diet.

What can I do to prevent arthritis?

No one knows how to prevent arthritis. However, it is a condition that can usually be managed with a combination of taking regular medication, protecting the affected joints, and keeping the joints mobile.