Arthritis
Definition
A disease characterized by joint inflammation. Joint injury can be caused by trauma or by the wear and tear of aging. The general term arthritis includes over 100 kinds of diseases, most of which last for life. In many forms of arthritis, injury is caused by the uncontrolled inflammation of autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Common kinds of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes
The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to degenerative arthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance (such as in osteoarthritis), infections (such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease), and an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Treatment programs, when possible, are often directed toward the precise cause of the arthritis.
More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
In order to better understand what is going on when a person suffers from some form of arthritis, let us look at how a joint works.
Basically, a joint is where one bone moves on another bone. Ligaments hold the two bones together. The ligaments are like elastic bands, while they keep the bones in place your muscles relax or contract to make the joint move.
Cartilage covers the bone surface to stop the two bones from rubbing directly against each other. The covering of cartilage allows the joint to work smoothly and painlessly.
A capsule surrounds the joint. The space within the joint – the joint cavity – has synovial fluid. Synovial fluid nourishes the joint and the cartilage. The synovial fluid is produced by the synovium (synovial membrane) which lines the joint cavity.
If you have arthritis something goes wrong with the joint(s). What goes wrong depends on what type of arthritis you have. It could be that the cartilage is wearing away, a lack of fluid, autoimmunity (your body attacking itself), infection, or a combination of many factors.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis yet. But most people with the condition can do normal activities of daily living.
Some of the ways in which arthritis is treated include:
- Drugs, such as pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and cortisone injections
- Rest. Being tired and feeling pain are signs of arthritis and show that it may be time to rest joints and muscles
- Exercise, when balanced with rest, can help reduce pain and stiffness, making muscles stronger and joints more flexible. Consult your doctor first, however, before beginning an exercise program.
- Maintaining proper body weight and eating a well-balanced diet. Extra weight increases pressure on the joints and can make some types of arthritis worse.
- Using devices such as splints, braces, canes or shoe inserts to protect joints from the stresses of daily activities and relieve symptoms.
- Heat and cold therapies. Heat therapy (paraffin wax, ultrasound or moist heat) increases blood flow and flexibility in the joint. Cold therapy (cold packs, cold-water soaks, over-the-counter sprays and ointments) numbs the nerves and relieves inflammation.
- Surgery to repair or remove a diseased or damaged joint, fuse the bones in a joint or replace joints with artificial ones.
Drugs, such as pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and cortisone injectionsRest. Being tired and feeling pain are signs of arthritis and show that it may be time to rest joints and musclesExercise, when balanced with rest, can help reduce pain and stiffness, making muscles stronger and joints more flexible. Consult your doctor first, however, before beginning an exercise program.Maintaining proper body weight and eating a well-balanced diet. Extra weight increases pressure on the joints and can make some types of arthritis worse.Using devices such as splints, braces, canes or shoe inserts to protect joints from the stresses of daily activities and relieve symptoms.Heat and cold therapies. Heat therapy (paraffin wax, ultrasound or moist heat) increases blood flow and flexibility in the joint. Cold therapy (cold packs, cold-water soaks, over-the-counter sprays and ointments) numbs the nerves and relieves inflammation.Surgery to repair or remove a diseased or damaged joint, fuse the bones in a joint or replace joints with artificial ones.
Prevention
Currently, prevention of arthritis focuses on avoiding joint injury and early diagnosis and treatment. Research clearly demonstrates that early diagnosis and treatment can result in less damage, deformity, disability, and even mortality in rheumatoid disease. The treatment of rheumatoid disease is not only more effective but easier when administered early.
Additionally, maintaining overall good health and strength with exercise and good nutrition can be helpful in preventing joint disease.
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