Arthritis Facts And Information

Arthritis is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation's leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15. Arthritis is a common condition that affects an estimated 8 million people in the UK. Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement.

Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability. Many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. There are many forms of arthritis (over 100 and growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system. Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Women - 24.3 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Men - 17.1 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation but the term often is used to refer to more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that can affect children and adults. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55. Arthritis is a costly disease: It's the leading cause of absenteeism; more than 45 million work days are lost each year. Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting approximately 43 million people. Women are significantly over-represented (60.4% of all people with arthritis compared with half the population). Almost 60% of all people with arthritis are of working age (15-64 years). Nearly 5% of Australians are taking medication for arthritis, and 1.5% will receive hospital treatment this year.

Some fact about arithritis including is First is Arthritis is a natural consequence of aging. The true fact is the risk of arthritis increases with age, it isn't a normal part of the aging process. Second is Arthritis only affects women. While a lot of women (over 28 million) have arthritis, the disease also affects men who number over 18 million. Third is Arthritis is caused by cold, wet weather. theser fact is false a common belief that dry weather is good for arthritis. This has caused some people to move hoping they will be cured.

However, arthritis can strike anywhere regardless of the weather. Fourth is Arthritis can be cured. Arthritis affects only postmenopausal women. These fact is false because Many types of arthritis begin in the 20s and 30s and even toddlers can get the disease. Arthritis is Australia's major cause of disability and chronic pain. It affects an estimated 3.1 million people or approximately 16.5% of Australians. Rheumatoid arthritis in particular is recognised as one of the major health reasons for leaving work early

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Arthritis - Basic Facts and OTC Treatments

Arthritis is a disease that affects millions of Americans every year. Given the large number of people affected by the disease it is important to understand what exactly is arthritis and how it is treated. The first step in treatment of arthritis is a proper diagnosis. A visit to the doctor will begin the process of diagnosing if one has arthritis and determining what should be the next step in treatment. Arthritis has many different forms that can display different symptoms depending on the type of arthritis in which one is afflicted. Arthritis generally causes pain, swelling, and a loss of movement in the affected areas. An example of some of the types of arthritis is Osteoarthritis, Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. These are a few of the types of Arthritis, however there are many more. Arthritis can have over 100 different types of manifestations. Arthritis is a very common disease among Americans. Limitations of sex, age, and race do not exist for Arthritis; it affects many without regard to these characteristics.

Due to the large amount of individuals affected by arthritis pain, it is important to understand how to treat arthritis. The treatment of arthritis can have different objectives. The most common objective is treating the symptoms of the disease. Many are motivated to self medicate with over the counter medications when they are combating symptoms such as joint pain. Topical creams can help with minor arthritis pain. Popular topical creams generally use ingredients like menthol or salicylate. Applied directly to the afflicted areas, they provide some relief of pain and swelling. Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Acetaminophen are other popular over the counter medications that arthritis sufferers use to combat minor arthritis pain. These medications are effective, but arthritis sufferers are increasingly turning to herbal remedies to help fight the disease.

Herbal remedies are becoming more popular each day with arthritis sufferers. They are perceived as an alternative for those who wish to treat their minor arthritis symptoms at home. It is important to read guidelines and safety precautions when using herbal remedies. The smart consumer understands that knowing exactly what is being taken and the side effects associated with the remedy is also important for his or her health. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two ingredients that are considered helpful in combating arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine is considered useful for relieving arthritis joint pain. Chondroitin is considered an important component for the production of cartilage. Using these two ingredients together could yield positive results for arthritis pain sufferers. Synotrex is an herbal remedy that uses Glucosamine and Chondroitin together in order to alleviate minor arthritis symptoms. Given the large numbers of individuals who suffer from arthritis, it is important to consider all options when fighting the symptoms of the disease.

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Top 5 Facts About Arthritis

Arthritis is usually associated with cracking joints; many people believe that the habit of cracking knuckles will lead to arthritis. However, until today, no scientific evidence has been found to support this folk belief. When two or more bones meet in the human body, a joint can be found which is surrounded by joint fluid. This fluid plays an important role because it protects the bones from rubbing against each other. What happens when a joint is making a cracking sound is actually the fluid being pushed out and it is the high pressure of the fluid which produces the sound. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the loss of fluid in the joints which damages the lining of the joint itself. Usually people who have passed the age of 65 will suffer from arthritis and it is the leading cause of disability in the elderly.

There are many types of arthritis which are caused by different factors. When the body attacks itself, or what is known as autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis will be suffered. However, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is also known as degenerative joint disease. It can be caused by simply aging, but also by trauma to the joint after an infection of the joint. There is more scientific evidence accumulated recently which seems to indicate that abnormal anatomy many be leading to early development of osteoarthritis. Septic arthritis, in turn, is caused by joint infection. Inflammation of the joints is a sign of goutry arthritis which is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints.

Pain is the most felt symptom of arthritis. Pain which can be severe is usually felt at night, but rheumatoid arthritis is most painful in the morning. Patients suffering from arthritis in the early stages, do not notice any symptoms before their morning shower. Although pain may not be the main feature of people suffering from arthritis; elder people may simply move less, while children may refuse to use the affected limb. The diagnosis of arthritis is based on the history of the pain which includes onset, number and types of joints involved, aggravating factors, and relieving factors. The positive diagnosis of arthritis is usually confirmed after physical examination by the physician. The next step is usually radiographs which is necessary to follow progression. It is also a method to get quantitative results which reflect severity. In addition, X-rays and blood tests of the affected joints are made to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests will show whether the following factors are present: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor, extractable nuclear antigen, and other specific antibodies.

The treatment arthritis has a long history. Willow bark was a popular treatment in 500 BC because it helped relieved the aches and pains of arthritis. In the early 1820s, the chemical compound in the willow bark was scientifically studied by European scientists who found the compound salicin. This compound was very noxious for the stomach and in 1897 Felix Hoffman isolated the compound and made it less irritating for the stomach. This compound was trademarked by Bayer Company under the name "Aspirin" in 1899. Nowadays, arthritis is also treated with physical and occupational therapy, medications, and arthroplasty or prosthetic joint replacement which can be seen as a last resort. Despite the fact that arthroplasty can be seen as a last resort, more than 90% of the patients who has undergone this treatment are very satisfied.

In 2006, nearly one in five adults in the US suffer from arthritis. This translates into 46 million people which means that arthritis is the most prevalent health problem in the US. Arthritis can be identified as the leading cause of disability among Americans over the age 15. Although mostly called the 'old age' disease, arthritis also affects nearly 300,000 children. Half of the Americans with arthritis thinks that nothing can be done for them. Arthritis strikes women more often than men. Arthritis costs the US economy a total $128 billion every year and this figure is rising every year.

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Martin Hahn PhD has received his education and degrees in Europe in organizational/industrial sociology. He grew up in South-East Asia and moved to Europe to get his tertiary education and gain experience in the fields of scientific research, radio journalism, and management consulting. If you would like to know more about Martin Hahn PhD and purchase his e-book, please visit: http://www.martinimhahn.com.

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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Getting The Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease. Generally, it causes intense pain and loss of motion in the particular joint it chooses to attack. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system plays a big part in the development of the disease. When a certain type of reaction triggers a rheumatoid arthritis attack, the result would be unbearable pain in and around the joints.

The Function Of Joints

A joint is the intersection of two human bones. The ends of these bones are covered with a smooth and durable substance called the cartilage. It is the cartilage that allows the bones to slide along each other without much friction. A cartilage is what functions as the device that cushions and absorbs the forces created during bone movements.

When a person suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, then a certain autoimmune defect would trigger an attack toward the healthy cells. And during such process, an enzyme is released to strike tissues. And the most common types of tissues attacked are the joints. Once this happens, the joints swell and become very painful.

Chronic

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. Being such it would continue indefinitely and does not go away easily. And more often than not, flare-ups may even occur. It is also possible that rheumatoid arthritis affects all other organs present in the body. This makes it very critical for the disease to be diagnosed and treated in its early stages.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause total disability. Even if this doesn't happen instantly, the mere fact that a patient may eventually lose his or her mobile functions should be enough to cause concern whenever the symptoms of this disease show.

The Most Commonly Affected Joints

The most common sign of rheumatoid arthritis would be swollen, tender, and stiff joints. The human body has a lot of joints. But the most common parts that rheumatoid arthritis hits are the hands, arms, leg, shoulders, and neck. Any pain that comes and goes felt around this area should be suitably consulted with a health expert.

People with rheumatoid arthritis also feel tired easily. A few minutes of physical exercise will cause them to catch their breath and require them to immediately rest their bodies. And sooner or later, even the simplest activity such as exercising, working, and doing their hobbies becomes rather difficult. People with rheumatoid arthritis prefer not to become physically active over time.

Most Susceptible Age Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is very common in people aged 20 to 45 years of age, although this disease could occur to a person regardless of his age. People who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can't do what a normal person does in terms of physical endeavors such as walking, running, swimming, and exercising. And because of this, the family and friends of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis becomes affected as well.

The diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should be done by a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and all other diseases of the muscles, bones, and joints. But more often than not, they are not the only people who can help patients when it comes to treatment and prevention of the disease. Nurses, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, occupations therapists, psychologists, and even social workers are able to help as well.

Diagnostic Methods

The difficulty in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in its early stages would be the fact that there is not a single test for this type of disease. The fact that its symptom may also differ from one patient to another is one more reason why it becomes hard for doctors to assume that the disease a patient suffers from is in fact, rheumatoid arthritis. The mere diagnosis of this disease requires a series of tests in the form or x-rays, blood tests, CRP, and SED rate.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease. It is but important that the moment it is accurately diagnosed, the proper treatment procedures be carried out immediately. Doing so would counteract its harmful effects on the body.

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Important Arthritis Facts

For the recently diagnosed arthritis patient, it is very important that many things are understood. When you get told by a medical professional that you have arthritis, it is important that you learn as many things about arthritis as possible. If you have a good knowledge of arthritis, your treatments and solutions for symptoms of arthritis will be more effective. Here, you will discover many important arthritis facts.

1) It is important for you to understand that there are no effective cures for arthritis. Many people inquire about cures for the condition as soon as they are diagnosed, however, there is none. There are numerous ways that a person can achieve relief from the assortment of symptoms that are associated with arthritis, however no absolute cure for the condition.

2) When you are diagnosed with the condition of arthritis, it is important that you visit a doctor that specializes in arthritis. This kind of doctor is referred to as a "Rheumatologist". Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you should be sure to get a referral to a rheumatologist, or make an appointment with one in your community. This will ensure that you get the proper care for the condition.

3) If you are diagnosed with the condition of arthritis, it is very important that you continue to live. You should practice good eating regimes, and exercise daily. This will ensure that you are as healthy as possible, and will make dealing with this condition a lot easier.

4) It is vital that you understand that arthritis is not as simple as one condition. There are many different kinds of arthritis. In addition to this, arthritis can result in many other medical conditions that are related to arthritis. If you are diagnosed with this condition, chances are that you have more than one kind of arthritis.

5) When you get diagnosed with this ailment, many myths regarding this condition may start to get expressed to you. For example, a person may inform you that only elderly people get arthritis, but this is not true. There are many medical companies that will inform you that you can have your arthritis cured by investing in their product. You must be especially careful of myths that may circulate when you are newly diagnosed with this medical condition. This is why it is so important to find out as much as you can on the condition.

6) If you are told that you have arthritis in the early stages of the disease, it is possible that you may not experience a large amount of joint issues. People who experience arthritis may also experience issues with their joints being deformed. If the condition is dealt with in the stages that are early, this possibility may be eliminated.

Having arthritis does not have to lower the quality in life that you experience, but it should increase your awareness of the condition. If you have experienced a diagnosis of this condition, it is important that you learn as much as you are able to. This will ensure your overall success of this condition.

Milos Pesic is professional rheumatologist who has helped hundreds of arthritis sufferers cure their condition. He runs a popular and comprehensive Arthritis web site. For more articles and resources on rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis treatment and symptoms, arthritis natural medication and much more visit his site at: http://arthritis.need-to-know.net/

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Common Symptoms for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Identification and Other Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a unique form of arthritis because it is an auto-immune disease that can impact more than just the joints in your body. In essence, your immune system malfunctions and begins to attack the joints, organs and/or other parts of your body. No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis but significant advances have been made with respect to the identification, treatment and control of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Early identification and quick aggressive treatment are your best defense when dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. Many people today live long, happy and productive lives despite rheumatoid arthritis.

Early Identification of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very serious disease and early detection and treatment is critical. If you begin to experience any of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, keep track of your symptoms and contact your doctor immediately. It is best to keep a detailed journal of your symptoms that you can discuss with your doctor. There are over 100 types of arthritis and proper diagnosis is needed to determine the proper treatment. Common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

low fever;
fatigue;
multiple sore or achy joints;
multiple swollen or inflamed joints - rheumatoid arthritis impacts the soft tissue surrounding your joints. The tissue surrounding the joints may be red, swollen and tender when touched;
joint stiffness or reduced mobility - this is typically noticed first thing in the morning and/or after periods of long rest.

Many of the early common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are mistaken for flu symptoms. Even if you suspect that you have the flu, it is still a good idea to track your symptoms and see your doctor. If needed, your doctor will send you to an arthritis specialist called a rheumatologist. If your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis (or other forms of arthritis), you need a specialist.

In addition to knowing what the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are, you also need to know that there are no hard and fast rules. Here are some facts about "common" rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

Disease Development -

the disease normally begins slowly however some people may develop rheumatoid arthritis rather suddenly. Rheumatoid arthritis affects every person differently.

Severity and Frequency -

some people experience severe joint inflammation and pain while others have milder symptoms. The frequency of common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can also vary significantly from person to person. You may feel symptoms for several days at a time, then they can stop for weeks or months at a time. It is very rare for people to experience rheumatoid arthritis symptoms continuously. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms tend to come and go for the rest of your life.

Multiple Joints -

rheumatoid arthritis tends to impact at least 3 joints or body parts at a time. It is also common for symptoms to begin on both sides of the body at the same time. This differs from degenerative arthritis, which tends to start in one joint on one side of the body. Degenerative arthritis tends to be more localized.

Joint Inflammation -

it is very important to treat and control joint inflammation because it causes damage to your joints. If you merely treat the pain, the inflammation will continue and will cause additional permanent damage. There are many medications and other treatments available that can reduce inflammation. If your doctor is not treating your inflammation, find another doctor.

Although there are common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis there are also many differences that exist. The above listing is only a partial listing of what you need to know about common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis impacts every person differently. No two people experience the disease in exactly the same way. These differences make it difficult to identify the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The best way to prepare yourself for rheumatoid arthritis is to learn as much as possible. Learn about the risk factors and common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Keep a detailed diary of all your potential symptoms and review them with your doctor. Your diary should include: location, severity, frequency and nature of your symptoms. Be sure to include the date and time and what you were doing when you felt the symptoms. What activities made your symptoms worse, what lessened your symptoms, etc. Keep track of every factor that may be important.

Since there are over 100 different types of arthritis, early detection relies heavily on information supplied by the patient. Rheumatoid arthritis can not always be detected using lab tests during its early stages. As soon as your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis, he should send you to a specialist. When your diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor should help you to design an effective treatment plan.

Most rheumatoid arthritis treatment plans include medication, alternative therapies, exercise, diet modification, etc. Together these treatments will work to control inflammation, reduce pain, increase mobility and slow or prevent additional damage. Rheumatoid arthritis can be effectively controlled and proper treatment can minimize the risk of disability. New treatment options are developing for rheumatoid arthritis because of on-going medical research. A rheumatologist is the best person to treat your disease and should know the latest and greatest treatment techniques. Early detection and treatment are highly recommended.

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