Arthritis Overview

Arthritis is the most common chronic disease in the USA. It affects almost 40 million people every year. Arthritis occurs when joints in the body are inflamed or there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Joints are places inside the body where two or more bones meet. Cartilage is the cushion between the joints that protects them from pressure and makes their movement smooth.

 

The elderly have high rates of arthritis development. Although, the elderly comprise a minuscule 12% of the total population in the US, the population of people suffering from arthritis is divided equally between the people who are 65 years of age or above and the remaining population. Over half of those with arthritis are under the age of 65 years and include almost 200,000 children.

 

For almost one fifth of the arthritis patients, lumps begin to form inside the skin, especially on forearms, heels and elbows. They are mostly located below the epidermis, particularly over bony structures like the tip of the elbow or over the joints of fingers. Sometimes, they can develop in the lining of the lung and some other internal organs. The size of these lumps may vary from that of a pea to that of a mandarin orange. Ulcers are also formed as a result of inflammation of the blood vessels.

 

Arthritis can impact the eyes in many ways. Inflammation of episclera, the membrane that covers the white portion of the eye, is a common when you have arthritis.The eye may become red and painful. Many arthritis patients have a fluid between heart and pericardium called the pericardial fluid. This causes pericarditis and can lead to thickening of membrane, which may interfere with the proper heart functioning. Arthritis can cause reduction in red blood corpuscles (RBC) count which may lead to anemia. Anemia can cause complications like fatigue, fast heart beat, dizziness and sleeplessness. Sometimes, spleen gets enlarged and white blood corpuscles (WBC) count gets low.

 

People with arthritis are more susceptible to infections, which may be because of the disease itself or the medicines used for treatment. Arthritis exacts an emotional toll from the patient as well. A study showed that 10% of people suffering from arthritis had mild to severe depression symptoms.

The exact cause of arthritis is not known as many factors are responsible for this disease. Some of the factors are genetics, aging, obesity, previous injury, occupational hazards, high level sports, illness etc. The symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, limited use of joint, warmth around the joint, redness of the skin around the joint and, in some cases, joint enlargement and swelling.

 

Following a good diet and an exercise regimen can prevent arthritis. A balanced diet offers vitamins and minerals to provide natural health to the joints. Exercise is useful as it provides strength to joints that can get affected by arthritis. Losing weight is important to prevent arthritis.

 

Arthritis may be diagnosed by physical tests which includes questions about your medical history. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of arthritis cannot be performed simply on the basis of these tests. Doctors also need to examine joint X-rays and other blood tests. Sometimes, doctors remove the fluid from the joint and then send that to laboratory for testing.

The aim of the treatment is to reduce pain, improve functionality, and also prevent future joint damage. The main cause is usually incurable. Exercise programs may include aerobic activity, flexibility exercises, and muscle toning exercises. Physiotherapy may also be recommended which includes heat/ice compresses, water therapy, or even massages. Getting a good night’s sleep of 8 to 10 hours; avoiding remaining in one posture for a long time; performing stress-reducing exercises, such as meditation and yoga; maintaining a balanced diet, especially with foods rich in vitamin E; losing excess weight and medication can alleviate the condition.

 

All medications come with risks. Side effects on the lung and immune system are common, so it is important that the doctor is well aware of your medical history. Generally, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen are recommended first. Prescription medicines include biologics which are used for the treatment of autoimmune arthritis, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and immunosuppressants.