Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint inflammation. A joint is the part of the skeletal system where two different bones meet and joined. Its function is to move the body parts connected by its bones and cartilages. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.
Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pains. A joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 and growing). The forms range from those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis) up to those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis). Together, the many forms of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.
The causes depend on the type of arthritis. This includes injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), infections, inheritance, and unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus).
Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognosis. They are different yet similar in a way that they have a tendency to affect the joints, ligaments, muscles, , tendons, cartilage and many have the potential to affect internal body areas.
What are symptoms of arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, limited function of joints, inflammation of the joints, joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can also be felt.
Because they are rheumatic diseases many of the forms of arthritis can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling, weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
Who is affected by arthritis
Men and women suffers Arthritis, this includes children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis and nearly 40 million persons in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Mostly those with arthritis are under 65 years of age and nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women
How arthritis is diagnosed and why is a diagnosis important
Have a meet with the doctor so you would know if you have arthritis or not. The doctor will review the history of your symptoms, examine the joints for inflammation and deformity, as well as ask questions about or examine other parts of the body for inflammation or signs of diseases that can affect other body areas. Furthermore, urine, blood, joint fluid, and/or x-ray tests might be requested for laboratory. The diagnosis will be based on the pattern of symptoms, the distribution of the inflamed joints, and any blood and x-ray findings. It may take several visits if necessary before the doctor can be certain of the diagnosis. A doctor with special training in arthritis and related diseases is called a rheumatologist.
Many forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than serious. However, millions of patients suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications.