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Arthritis Causes and Risks:
Joint inflammation, which causes redness, swelling , pain and sometimes loss of motion, is a body's normal reaction to damage or the presence of a foreign agent in that area. This is seen frequently when there is an injury to a joint (including fracture ) or the presence of a virus or bacteria. Most of the time inflammation goes away after the injury has healed or the virus or bacteria has been wiped out by the immune system.
With some injuries and some diseases the inflammation does not go away and this is considered arthritis. Altogether there are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, and there are many different diseases that can cause it. Gout and scleroderma are two such diseases. Arthritis can also develop as a complication of another disease caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Gonorrhea is one of these diseases. When this happens it is considered infectious arthritis. Autoimmune disorders , such as rheumatoid arthritis , are diseases in which something goes wrong with the immune system and it attacks healthy parts of the body.
Arthritis can occur in males and females of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind. That is almost 1 out of every 7 people.
Some of the diseases associated with arthritis include:
Prevention:
Most cases are not preventable. Awareness of a family history of arthritis-related conditions may allow earlier recognition and earlier treatment of a disorder.
Some scientists believe that osteoarthritis may develop in some people because they have abused their joints (injured them many times or over-used them while they were injured). Taking care not to over-work a damaged or sore joint may postpone or help eliminate development of osteoarthritis in some people.
Excess weight also increases your risk for developing osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees, and possibly in the hips and hands. Women are at special risk for this. In men, being over-weight increases the risk for developing gout . It is important to maintain your recommended weight , especially as you get older.
Research shows that if middle-age and older women of average height who are over weight, lose 11 pounds or more over 10 years, they can cut their risk for developing knee osteoarthritis in half.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Physical examination may show a fluid collection around the joint (called an effusion). The joint may be tender when it is gently pressed ( palpation ). When attempting to rotate the joint through its normal movements, there may be some pain or difficulty moving it in certain or all directions. This is called limited range-of-motion.
Tests vary depending on the suspected cause. They may include various blood, joint fluid, muscle, or urine tests and joint X-rays (X-rays are seldom needed). See the specific types of arthritis.
Treatment:
OVERVIEW:
There are many different kinds of arthritis and treatment may vary depending on the particular cause, how severe the disease is, which joints are affected, how the person is affected, and the person's age, occupation, and daily activities.
Treatment may focus on eliminating the underlying cause of the arthritis. Usually, the cause is not curable and the treatment therefore aims at reducing pain and discomfort and preventing further disability. Following the prescribed therapy is crucial. Caring for your arthritis and responding to your body's needs will give the best results.
Symptoms are treated as appropriate. Sometimes they are helped with simple modifications in daily activities along with adequate rest and exercise ; while other times, more extensive therapies are needed. Usually treatment consists of a combination of the above-mentioned activities along with heat or cold treatments, using methods to ensure joint protection, various medications, and possibly surgery.
MEDICATIONS:
Medications to reduce joint pain and joint swelling may include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, corticosteroids, gold salts, penicillamine, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressive drugs, which are drugs that slow the immune system. (Note: These medications can have severe side effects. You should consult with your health care provider before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medications, for more than a couple of days!)
SURGERY:
In some cases, surgery to rebuild the joint (arthroplasty) or to replace the joint (such as a total knee joint replacement ) may be recommended to help maintain a more normal lifestyle.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
Both rest and exercise are important. Warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises may be helpful. Making some modifications in daily activities or using assistive devices to ensure joint protection is recommended.
OTHER THERAPY:
Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended in severe cases.
Prognosis:
Some arthritis-related disorders can be completely cured with treatment. Others are chronic , or long-term and treatment aims at controlling the pain and minimizing joint damage. Chronic arthritis frequently goes in and out of remission (lessening in severity of symptoms).
Complications:
- chronic pain
- lifestyle restrictions or disability
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your doctor if joint pain persists beyond 3 days or if there is severe unexplained joint pain, especially if it is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms such as fever or weight loss .
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