Common Types Of Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions, mostly affecting people over the age of 55. However, it is not limited to this age group as it can also affect a percentage of younger adults. It’s not one single disease but a group of conditions that may cause damage not only to your bones but also to other organs in the body.
Different forms of arthritis manifest different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include: persistent joint pain; tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement; inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth; pain and stiffness in the body, especially around the joints; joint deformity; loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint; unexplained weight loss; non-specific fever; and crepitus (weird crackling sound in the joints.)
There’s no doubt that gout can be an extremely painful and distressing condition. Gout is traditionally treated with NSAIDS or anti- inflammatories. Allopurinal is often prescribed as it can inhibit the formation of arthritis causing uric acid within the body. However, this medication can have serious side effects, such as kidney failure and inflammation of the blood vessels. Other prescription drugs can also have adverse side effects, such as nausea, weakness, thinning of bones, bruising and abnormal bleeding. Many are not considered safe to take long term.
