The Common Disease of Arthritis

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Most of the cases of arthritis involve the body joints but joints are not the only body parts to be affected by arthritis. In its various forms arthritis can also affect other parts of the body. It is one of the most commonly occurring diseases affecting people of all ages. However most of the victims are able to go about their business as usual.

At a body joint, ends of two bones come together. The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage which makes the surfaces of bone ends smooth for sliding against each other. The smoothness of surfaces makes it possible to carry out the joint movement easily and painlessly with minimum friction thousands of times in a day. The two bones of a joint are held together firmly in place by ligaments which also form a capsule around the joint. The surface of ligaments is lined with synovial membrane which secretes synovial fluid for lubricating the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the more common types, occurs when synovial membrane gets inflamed and joint swells up. If it is allowed to increase it can affect the cartilage and cause severe pain. In its more advances stage it can affect other parts of the body such as lungs, heart and eyes. This disease is three times more common in women than in men.

Osteoarthritis, another common variety, results when cartilage wears out. When this happens the ends of the bones in contact with each other lose their protective cover as well as the smooth gliding surface. The bone ends then directly rub against each other. The joint becomes stiff and starts paining. This condition involves joints which are exposed to frequent wear and tear such as fingers, big toes, knees, hips, lower spine.

Another type of arthritis, gout, occurs due to defect in body chemistry. There is excess of uric acid in the blood and crystals deposit on joints and other places. It affects men more than women.

Ankylosing spondylitis, another form of arthritis, affects the spine. The vertebrae get fused together and the spine tends to stiffen up.

There are several treatments for arthritis such as:

Medication

Application of heat - hot compresses, hot tub bath, infrared treatment

Physiotherapy and exercise

Avoidance of over-exertion of affected joints

Surgery in extreme cases

These treatments may not work equally well for all patients. The patient will have to find out which treatment suits him best. But before starting any treatment the patient must consult his doctor.

Following measures can be beneficial to most of the patients:

Reduction in body weight - higher body weight puts more stress on body structure including the joints. It is estimated that reduction of 11 pounds in body weight can cut chances of osteoarthritis by as much as 50 %.

Modest activities to avoid joint laxity.

Improve body posture.

It is well known that lack of activity of body joints and body muscles make them weak and prone to diseases. The best guard against arthritis is to do regular exercise of all major body joints and muscles. Our modern lifestyle generally does not make it necessary for us to use all our limbs regularly. We are used to desk type jobs and sedentary living. Unless we take out time to do some exercise, maintain correct body weight, and maintain correct body posture we will remain susceptible.

Our body gives us sufficient indication when there is any trouble. Arthritis can be detected early by paying attention to any consistent joint pains. An early treatment of the disease can save you from lot of trouble.

For more Arthritis Articles by Ian Williamson please visit www.real-articles.com/Category/Arthritis/133

Hot Topics In Arthritis

    Lupus And Arthritis: How They Go Hand In Hand

    If you suffer from lupus, changes are good that you suffer from arthritis as part of the condition. This condition is one in which individuals often face pain in their body and, like arthritis, someth...

    Natural Arthritis Pain Relief - By Doing Simple Arthritis Exercises

    Treating arthritis is not easy.

    Apart from the regular medication, proper diet, rest and relaxation, doctors also recommend arthritis exercises. These are specially designed exercises ...

    Winning the War Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

    RA is a condition that forces half of patients to become disabled from the work force within five to ten years? and reduces life expectancy by as much as 18 years. RA affects about one per cent of the...

    The Common Disease of Arthritis

    Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Most of the cases of arthritis involve the body joints but joints are not the only body parts to be affected by arthritis. In its various forms arthritis ...

    Arthritis Exercises To Improve Movement

    The biggest complaint for more sufferers of inflamed joints is undoubtedly the pain that is associated with even the simplest movement.

    Accordingly many are looking for arthritis excercises to impro...

    Treating Arthritis - Naturally

    There are actually three common types of arthritis. These are Osteoarthritis which is the most common, affecting around 16 million Americans with an average age of 45. It usually will attack weight be...

    Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Nearly 50,000 Children Affected In The US

    Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can start as a swollen knuckle or a high fever or an unexplained rash and whatever be the symptoms; arthritis symptoms can cause much confusion in the minds of the patien...

    Arthritis and Stomach Relief

    There are new studies for relief for arthritis pain. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two common drugs on the gastrointestinal tract. This can make it easier for people who suffe...

    Arthritis Relief and Your Diet

    Arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans and is referred to as the most common chronic disease in people over 40.

    Doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all ...

    Arthritis Pain Relief : Questions To Ask Your Healthcare Provider

    A great place to begin taking charge of you arthritis pain relief and prevention planning is by making an appointment with your healthcare provider and finding out more about your condition and treatm...

    Controlling Pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises

    If you are suffering from stiff, swollen joints and have been diagnosed with the condition known as rheumatoid arthritis, there is hope.

    In most instances, you can continue to do the hobbies and act...

    Fatigue And Joint Pain - Common Arthritis Symptoms

    The symptoms of fatigue and joint pain, are associated with a great deal of illnesses and diseases, ranging from the common flu to serious autoimmune diseases like lupus or thyroid disorders.

    And.....

Most Recent Arthritis Supplements

Newly Popular Illness Articles

    What You Need To Know About LASIK Eye Surgery

    LASIK eye surgery is growing more popular on a daily basis as the cost for improving your eyesight through laser vision correction surgery continues to drop. After this surgery and seeing the results ...

    Determining Your Causes Of High Blood Pressure

    If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure it's likely that you suddenly have many questions. Understanding how blood pressure, left untreated, can negatively impact your body is first and fo...

    Hair Loss Due To Various Diseases Or Surgery

    Most times, hair loss is explained in the context of genetics and a change in the hormonal balance of one's body. However, hair loss can also be a symptom of an underlying disease or a result from a s...

    Asthma and Acid Reflux: A Sinister Marriage of Two Diseases

    Asthma is among a number of diseases that have caused great distress and even disabilities to a large number of sufferers worldwide. Now the healthcare community have been noticing a rather consistent...

    3 Main Indicators for Healthy Cholesterol

    First let's find out what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty substance; it's called a lipid, that's produced by the liver. Cholesterol can be found in foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats...

    Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

    Low blood pressure is a condition in which a person's blood pressure is much lower than normal. This can result in symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness or even collapse. Blood pressure that is ...

    Hair Loss As A Result Of Aging

    As one ages, several body changes are common. Hair loss is one age-related change that affects both men and women. If you are experiencing hair that is falling out, age may be the reason. If you want ...

    Drinking Green Tea Might Prevent The Absorption of Cholesterol

    There are many studies being conducted on the effects of drinking green tea and how it can benefit the body. Along with its possible antioxidant qualities, there are also studies pointing to the possi...

    The Benefits Offered By Bladeless LASIK Eye Surgery

    The risks involved in LASIK eye surgery is relatively small compared to other types of surgery. However, there is still a risk which is there because of the use of the blade that is used to cut the fl...

    Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Nearly 50,000 Children Affected In The US

    Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can start as a swollen knuckle or a high fever or an unexplained rash and whatever be the symptoms; arthritis symptoms can cause much confusion in the minds of the patien...

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Arthritis Blogs:

Releated to Illness:

Arthritis Links: