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.)

Read the rest of this entry

Arthritis actually means “joint inflammation” and there are over 100 related conditions or forms of disease. Left untreated, it can become advanced, resulting in joint damage that is irreversible. If you suspect you have arthritis, early detection and treatment are vital.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both have different causes. When joints are overused or injured, osteoarthritis can develop. The cartilage protecting and cushioning the joint wears away, resulting in the bones rubbing painfully against each other. This seems to be more common in the knees, but is also found in the hips, spine and hands. By the time pain is felt, a lot of the cartilage will already have been worn away.

Read the rest of this entry

How joint pain and the destruction of cartilage are related is not yet fully understood. Cartilage itself does not cause pain because there are no nerve structures in cartilage to transmit pain signals. Most likely, the pain of rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the irritation of other tissues in and around the affected joints. This irritation may be caused by chemical-messenger substances, such as prostaglandin E2, that are associated with the disease process. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain because they inhibit the production of prostaglandins.

Read the rest of this entry

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the US. 20% of arthritis sufferers are unable to perform vital life activities such as working or housekeeping because of their condition. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis can also have a negative effect on mental health. Some forms of arthritis also make your body age faster.

Read the rest of this entry

An early diagnosis will be effective in managing and treating arthritis, so it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms.

You may experience stiffness or pain in one or more of your joints. You will usually experience this pain in the neck, knees, fingers or hips, but your toes and elbows can also become affected. This stiffness or pain may be more apparent on waking or after sitting for long periods of time. As the joints naturally loosen with use, the pain may ease during the day, but may return in the evening.

The joints may become hot or swollen, and in the event of Osteoporosis bony growths may develop, usually on the knuckles.

Read the rest of this entry

It is possible to identify Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its early stages if you learn how to recognise the common symptoms of this condition. RA usually starts with one or more symptoms which can change over time with its progression.

RA often starts in middle age, but can also develop in younger people and even children. It causes inflammation of the joint linings (synovium), which results in excessive joint fluid being produced, causing stiffness, pain, characteristic swelling and loss of joint function. In worse cases, it can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart and surrounding blood vessels. RA can also cause the glands around the mouth and eyes to become inflamed, causing dryness- this is known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

Read the rest of this entry