Arthritis
Mark Clarke
May 02, 2008
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. The more than 100 varieties of arthritis include gout, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are found most often. Both result in pain and deformed joints.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million Americans. By age 40, about 90% of all people have x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in the weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and knees, although actual symptoms generally do not appear until later in life. Men typically develop symptoms before age 45, whereas women usually have them after age . Men more often have osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, and spine, and women are more likely to have it in the hands and knees. It is the most limiting chronic condition affecting women in the United States.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual breakdown of cartilage that comes with age. The first signs are microscopic pits and fissures on the cartilage surface that cause the cartilage to crack and lose its resilience. Tiny pieces of cartilage may break off into the joint cavity. The result is a change in the contours of the articular surfaces. Finally, patches of exposed bone appear, causing mechanical-type friction and irritation. The bone responds by trying to repair itself, but the repair is disorderly. As a result, joint surfaces thicken and bone spurs (osteophytes) form.
The deterioration associated with osteoarthritis seems related to the wear and tear of daily living, age, and injury. Other factors may include heredity, diet, abnormal use of joints (for example, throwing a curve ball year after year), excessive weight, stress, and impaired blood supply to affected joints.
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes aspirin and cortisone drugs to relieve pain. Mild exercise, heat, cold, or a combination of heat and cold application accompanied by massage can be used as treatment measures. Exercise is used for therapeutic purposes to help maintain range-of-motion and to strengthen the muscles that can help alleviate joint problems. Exercise is usually prescribed by a physical therapist. Occasionally, surgery is performed to replace joints or repair tendons and ligaments.
Should a person with osteoarthritis exercise to avoid deconditioning, or will the exercise cause further damage to the arthritic joints? The answer seems to be yes and no to both questions, depending on the individual. An 8-week walking study involving patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (one of the most common arthritic problems) provides a reason for optimism regarding exercise. Patients who walked 30 minutes three times a week reported a 27% decrease in pain and an improved ability to walk longer distances compared with a non walking control group. The researchers concluded that supervised walking can be helpful for people with significant arthritis of the knee. Stretching exercises also help to relieve arthritis pain by lengthening tendons, which reduces muscle spasms, the source of much of the pain in osteoarthritis. However, the results of other studies have shown that exercise may not contribute to relief of pain. In addition, exercise of an arthritic joint may cause pain that can be relieved only by rest.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most crippling forms of arthritis. It affects about 1 % of the adult population worldwide. More than 2.5 million Americans have this condition, and more than 60% of those affected are women. Onset of rheumatoid arthritis is usually between the ages of 20 and 45. Although the exact causes are unknown, this form of arthritis may be an autoimmune disease. The most obvious damage occurs in joints, but the disease affects the whole body. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint swelling, redness, stiffness, pain, muscle atrophy, joint deformity, and limited mobility. The condition is unpredictable because it can suddenly flare up and just as suddenly go into remission. Emotional stress is often associated with an attack. The disease frequently results in disability.
Treatment includes a mixture of rest periods, gentle exercise, physical therapy, and medication. Emphasis is on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, maintaining function of the joints, and preventing deformities.
For more info about health and fitness and health care have a look at authors site. Also get information about health care information .
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million Americans. By age 40, about 90% of all people have x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in the weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and knees, although actual symptoms generally do not appear until later in life. Men typically develop symptoms before age 45, whereas women usually have them after age . Men more often have osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, and spine, and women are more likely to have it in the hands and knees. It is the most limiting chronic condition affecting women in the United States.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual breakdown of cartilage that comes with age. The first signs are microscopic pits and fissures on the cartilage surface that cause the cartilage to crack and lose its resilience. Tiny pieces of cartilage may break off into the joint cavity. The result is a change in the contours of the articular surfaces. Finally, patches of exposed bone appear, causing mechanical-type friction and irritation. The bone responds by trying to repair itself, but the repair is disorderly. As a result, joint surfaces thicken and bone spurs (osteophytes) form.
The deterioration associated with osteoarthritis seems related to the wear and tear of daily living, age, and injury. Other factors may include heredity, diet, abnormal use of joints (for example, throwing a curve ball year after year), excessive weight, stress, and impaired blood supply to affected joints.
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes aspirin and cortisone drugs to relieve pain. Mild exercise, heat, cold, or a combination of heat and cold application accompanied by massage can be used as treatment measures. Exercise is used for therapeutic purposes to help maintain range-of-motion and to strengthen the muscles that can help alleviate joint problems. Exercise is usually prescribed by a physical therapist. Occasionally, surgery is performed to replace joints or repair tendons and ligaments.
Should a person with osteoarthritis exercise to avoid deconditioning, or will the exercise cause further damage to the arthritic joints? The answer seems to be yes and no to both questions, depending on the individual. An 8-week walking study involving patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (one of the most common arthritic problems) provides a reason for optimism regarding exercise. Patients who walked 30 minutes three times a week reported a 27% decrease in pain and an improved ability to walk longer distances compared with a non walking control group. The researchers concluded that supervised walking can be helpful for people with significant arthritis of the knee. Stretching exercises also help to relieve arthritis pain by lengthening tendons, which reduces muscle spasms, the source of much of the pain in osteoarthritis. However, the results of other studies have shown that exercise may not contribute to relief of pain. In addition, exercise of an arthritic joint may cause pain that can be relieved only by rest.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most crippling forms of arthritis. It affects about 1 % of the adult population worldwide. More than 2.5 million Americans have this condition, and more than 60% of those affected are women. Onset of rheumatoid arthritis is usually between the ages of 20 and 45. Although the exact causes are unknown, this form of arthritis may be an autoimmune disease. The most obvious damage occurs in joints, but the disease affects the whole body. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint swelling, redness, stiffness, pain, muscle atrophy, joint deformity, and limited mobility. The condition is unpredictable because it can suddenly flare up and just as suddenly go into remission. Emotional stress is often associated with an attack. The disease frequently results in disability.
Treatment includes a mixture of rest periods, gentle exercise, physical therapy, and medication. Emphasis is on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, maintaining function of the joints, and preventing deformities.
For more info about health and fitness and health care have a look at authors site. Also get information about health care information .
Print
Email
