Arthritis

Arthritis

What Is Meant By Arthritis?

The word arthritis is used to describe pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint or
Joints. Arthritis isn’t a single condition, and there are several types.
Each form causes different symptoms and may need different treatments. While
arthritis usually affects older adults, it can develop in men, women and children of
Any age. Common arthritis, joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and
Decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild,
moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years, but can progress or
get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do
daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.
It may be difficult to say what has caused your arthritis. There are several factors
that can increase the risk of each type of arthritis. It could be that the genes you
inherited from your parents or grandparents made you more likely to get arthritis.
Arthritis is most common in the following areas of the body:
Feet.
Hands.
Hips.
Knees.
Lower back.

What are the different types of arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term that describes more than 100 different joint conditions.
The most common types of arthritis include:

• Juvenile arthritis.
  Gout.                                                                                                                        Rheumatoid arthritis.                                                                                              Ankylosing spondylitis.

What causes arthritis?

Different types of arthritis have different causes. For instance, gout is the result of
too much uric acid in your body. But for other types of arthritis, the exact cause is
unknown.

• You may develop arthritis if you:
  Have a family history of arthritis.
  Have a job or play a sport that puts repeated stress on your joints.
  Have certain autoimmune diseases or viral infections.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Different types of arthritis have different symptoms. They can be mild in some
people and severe in others. Joint discomfort might come and go, or it could stay
constant.

• Common symptoms include:
  Pain.
  Redness.
  Stiffness.
  Swelling.
  Tenderness.
  Warmth.

How is arthritis treated?                                                                                                 

There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help you
manage the condition. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of
the arthritis, its symptoms and your overall health.
Conservative (nonsurgical) treatments include:

Medication.                                                                                                             

Anti-inflammatory and pain medications may help relieve your arthritis symptoms. Some medications, called biologics target your immune system’s inflammatory response. A healthcare provider may recommend biologic for your rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.

Physical therapy.                                                                                       

Rehabilitation can help improve strength, range of motion and overall mobility. Therapists can teach you how to adjust your daily activities to lessen arthritic pain.

Therapeutic injections.                                                                                   

Cortisone shots may help temporarily relieve pain and inflammation in your joints. Arthritis in certain joints, such as your knee, may improve with a treatment
called  viscosupplementation . It injects lubricant to help joints move smoothly.