Causes And Symptoms Of Arthritis

Arthritis is often spoken of as a stand-alone disease, when in fact it is a generic term used to describe over a 100 different types of related conditions. The one thing that links them is that in all cases the musculoskeletal system, in particular the joints (knees, hips, hands etc), are affected. The common misconception is that arthritis only occurs in the elderly, when in fact it affects people of all ages. Out of 46 million Americans currently afflicted with arthritis 300 000 are children. Arthritis is also slightly more prevalent in women than men.

Arthritis occurs when cartilage is irreversibly compromised due to injury, infection, an autoimmune disease or just general wear and tear brought about by sport or old age. The joints rely on the cartilage for smooth movement and shock protection, without which the bones end up rubbing against each other. The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, inflammation and stiffness in the affected joints but other parts of the body such as the muscles, bones, and some internal organs can also be affected, depending on the condition.

Three of the most widespread forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Other types of arthritis or arthritis related conditions include: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, viral arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrometo.

The cause depends on the type of arthritis or related condition that you are suffering from. Diagnosis is thus vital as it will determine the appropriate course of treatment that you will need to follow as well as possible adjustments to your lifestyle. If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned, and have done so for a period of time, it is advisable that you see your doctor. The old adage of rather safe than sorry' is good advice indeed because the earlier your condition is diagnosed the sooner you can start taking pro-active steps to helping your body.

You may find it helpful to have a list of questions and symptoms prepared before going to the doctor. This will allow you to participate more actively in the consultation. Doing so will also ensure that you don't forget to give or ask for information that you feel is pertinent.

Speak to your doctor about finding the treatment that will be most effective and beneficial for your condition. For many years the painful symptoms of arthritis were treated using medication, local steroid injections and even joint replacement in severe cases,but all with only some degree of success. The therapies hardly ever resulted in the pain going away completely, and the original joint damage remained unchanged as well.

New in-roads have been made with regard to the treatment of arthritis and there are some alternative therapies available, such as homeopathy, meditation and magnetic devices. Exploring these alternatives expands the patient's range of possible solutions to pain management and relief of symptoms. They can often work very well alongside your allopathic treatments in a supportive or complementary role. There are ongoing studies that look at the value of improving the patient's coping skills and stress management.

Other studies look at the effectiveness of supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin and the use of acupuncture in treating arthritis. Research is also being done on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids, which occur in some fish oils, as it's believed that they have anti-inflammatory properties. Being informed and knowing about all the options available to you are ways of taking back control of your health.

Some forms of arthritis can be prevented by avoiding infections, such as using tick repellent to prevent Lyme disease and practicing safe sex to prevent the sexually transmitted diseases that can cause Reiter's syndrome. Unfortunately there is no absolute way of preventing most other forms of arthritis. Affecting certain lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, avoiding repetitive joint use and reducing the risk of injury by warming up before you exercise will all go a long way to helping.

Twenty years ago doctors routinely advised against regular exercise in the belief that activity would further damage the afflicted joints. These days' doctors have realized that lack of exercise has a negative effect on patients, resulting in weak muscles, stiff joints and a loss of mobility. To this end exercise now plays a key role in managing the symptoms of arthritis.

Arthritis can be both painful and debilitating but there are many ways of treating the condition to effectively manage the pain and symptoms. Find a doctor whom you trust and connect with and be an active participant in the state of your health and well being. These are both key factors in determining the long term course that your condition will follow.