Arthritis

The word Arthritis is taken from the Greek words arthro + itis, meaning joint + inflammation.  That pretty much sums it up for those of us that suffer from this painful and debilitating disease.  In actuality, the term is applied to several maladies that affect the joints in the body.  Though there are many types of arthritis, they do have one thing common, pain!  The intensity and location of the pain will differ with each type of arthritis.  Some patients that suffer from arthritis find movement so discomforting that they might restrict their movements or stop using limbs entirely, so as not aggravate the pain.  It is important to describe the pain as best you can and where it is affecting you so that the medical doctor treating you has a better idea of what kind of arthritis is afflicting you.  Arthritis can actually eat away at your bone and cartilage.  

Ancient bones show that arthritis has been irritating us for thousands of years.  No matter which type of arthritis you have the only thing that will run through your mind is relief from the persistent agony.  Pain, swelling, irritation, and stiffness of the joints are common symptoms of all types of arthritis, though the degree and location will vary.  Arthritis can lead to long-term damage of the joints, and degradation of cartilage.  

• Osteoarthritis - is a chronic condition that causes breakdown of the cartilage.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – is causes inflammation of the lining of the joints.
• Septic Arthritis – is caused by infections to the joints.
• Gout – is caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints.
• Pseudogout – is caused by rhomboidal shaped crystals of calcium pyrophosphate.
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – is the most common form of arthritis in children.
• Psoriatic Arthritis – is an autoimmune type of arthritis that mostly affects people with chronic skin disorders.
• Osteonecrosis - occurs when blood flow to the bone is blocked causing the bone to die.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis - primarily affects the joints where the spine meets the pelvis, vertebrae, or hip joints.

Some types of arthritis are systematic diseases and will eventually affect other organs or parts of the body.  There is no cure for arthritis but if diagnosed early enough treatments can slow the progression and minimize the damage or even bone loss from this treacherous disease.