FAQ On Arthritis
What is 'arthritis?'
The term arthritis is used to refer to more than 100 related diseases, known as rheumatic diseases. This group includes diseases that affect: joints, bones, and supporting tissue such as bursa, tendons, muscles, ligaments. Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement. Some types of arthritis can harm other parts of the body including: internal organs (heart, lungs, and kidneys) and the skin.
What are the causes of arthritis?
For most types of arthritis the causes are unknown. There are exceptions, which include: infectious arthritis. In some types of arthritis there is an interaction between the inherited susceptibility to a particular type of arthritis an unbalanced immune system and an infection such as a virus that triggers the disease process.
In some types of arthritis there may be a combination of risk factors, including defective cartilage, defect in the way bones fit together and move, an injury, joint damage caused by other types of arthritis, obesity.
In some types of arthritis, overuse/abuse of the joints, especially repeated use in positions that stress joints can cause the following types of arthritis: bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Can arthritis be prevented?
Research has not given us enough information yet on ways to prevent most types of arthritis. However, some types of arthritis can be prevented; for example: rheumatic fever can be prevented by treating strep throat with penicillin; New information from research is increasing the likelihood that in the future some other types of arthritis may be prevented. Three major things you need to do to prevent problems with bones, joints and muscles: Keep fit, control your weight, protect your joints.
Is arthritis hereditary?
There are some forms of arthritis which are clearly inherited, but most are not. There is evidence that one type of arthritis of the spine - ankylosing spondylitis - and gouty arthritis are inherited, but other common forms such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis show only a weak tendency to be inherited.
Does climate affect my arthritis?
Living in a cold damp climate may make you feel your arthritis more than living in a hot, dry one. Change of weather, such as a rise in humidity and a fall in barometric pressure may also make the joints worse temporarily, but not everyone with arthritis can predict weather change.
How does obesity affect arthritis?
Excess weight increases the stress placed on weight-bearing joints such as the hip and knee. Overweight is indeed a dilemma in persons with arthritis because the joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue may significantly limit their ability to burn excess calories through exercise. Exercise should be part of a weight reduction program.
What exercise should I try?
Exercise helps decrease pain and stiffness, helps maintain joint movement and flexibility, helps increase or maintain muscle strength, and helps prevent deformity. There are 2 broad categories of exercise: therapeutic exercise prescribed by a physiotherapist or physician, and recreational exercise which includes any form of movement, amusement or relaxation that refreshes the body and mind.
Does alcohol have any affect on arthritis?
Acute alcohol intoxication can result in a sharp rise in the blood level of uric acid, and can lead to an acute attack of gout. Prolonged heavy drinking can cause the hip joints to crumble. If a person drinks to excess for many years, the balls of his or her hip joints start to crumble and die. This phenomenon is called avascular necrosis.
Can arthritis be cured?
The only form of arthritis which can be cured is that due to infection which can be treated by antibiotics. Other forms of arthritis, such as gout, can be completely controlled with medications. Most forms of arthritis can be controlled in large part by medication.
What types of tests do they use to diagnose arthritis?
There is no single test that will confirm or deny the presence of arthritis in every case. Perfectly normal people may demonstrate abnormal results, while people with severe disease may demonstrate perfectly normal results common test - Hemoglobin tests, White blood counts, Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Rheumatoid factor, ANA (antinuclear antibodies), urinalysis, biopsies, aspirations, x-rays.
How do they treat arthritis?
An early diagnosis is key to successful arthritis treatment. Some treatment programs may include a combination of: exercise, joint protection, education, rest/relaxation, self-help aids, surgery, use of heat and cold.
Medication such as pain killers can minimize or mask pain for sometime but prolonged use can have side effects that can affect the stomach, liver and kidney
Physiotherapy and weight reduction can give relief to a certain set of patients.
Intra articular injections (Joint Injections) can give relief in the early and moderate group of arthritis
Surgical options include Washing of the joint by inserting a small camera into the joint (arthroscopy) , Changing the alignment of joints (Osteotomy) and also joint replacements which may be partial or total replacements.
|
