Arthritis is a general term and refers to a condition that can affect almost any joint in the body. In fact, there are about 100 variations and all are different in one way or another, but the one thing they all have in common is pain and associated swelling around the affected joints.

In American, and many other parts of the world, arthritis is considered to be the one of the most prevalent causes of disability. The statistics are frightening: it is estimated that in excess of 45 million people in the U.S. suffer from arthritis in one form or another. This figure includes over 300,000 children.

As previously mentioned there are about 100 types of arthritis, but the three most prevalent types are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and juvenile arthritis.

The various types of arthritis result from different things taking place in the joints. In simple terms your bones are joined together by ligaments; ligaments are similar to an elastic band, they can stretch and the go back to their original shape.

Covering the bones surface is something called cartilage; this prevents the bones from directly contacting each other and lets them move smoothly. In between is a capsule that contains a lubricant called synovial fluid. The fluid level is kept topped up so that you can move your joints without them wearing away.

However, when a person suffers from arthritis, there could be several of the component parts that have gone wrong. Potentially if could be worn out cartilage, lack of synovial fluid, meaning that the joints aren’t lubricated, so they rub together and wear, or it could be due to an infection.

Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects the fingers and wrists, but can also commonly affect the arms and legs. In most cases if a person has rheumatoid arthritis in one wrist then they will also have it in the other. The joints swell and are painful and often inflamed. If not used for a while they stiffen, so rheumatoid arthritis sufferers tend to find the symptoms are worse in the mornings.

Osteoarthritis starts very slowly and gradually gets worse as time progresses. The affected joints are painful and tender. As with rheumatoid arthritis the symptoms are worse in the mornings. The most commonly affected joints are the hips, hands, and knees and the condition can be very debilitating. Eventually it can become very difficult and painful to move certain joints.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, as the name suggest affects children. It presents itself differently to the previous two types. A child will develop a fever that worsens as the evening progresses and yet a couple of hours later will have completely disappeared. Weight loss occurs because the sufferer has a poor appetite. Blotches or a rash may appear on the arms and legs and it is possible the child may walk with a limp. Several joints can become swollen very quickly. The main joints affected are the neck and hips, but it can affect many other joints.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: medicine, health, pain, lifestyle, advice