Arthritis: A Common
Impairment
But the Joint Inflammation and Pain Can
Be Disabling for Some
Arthritis literally
means joint inflammation.
Most of the cases of arthritis involve the body joints, but
joints are not the only body parts to be affected by
arthritis.
In its various forms, arthritis can also affect other parts
of the body. It is one of the most commonly occurring diseases
affecting people of all ages. However most of its victims are
able to go about their business as usual.
A Little
Anatomy
At a body joint, ends of two bones come together. The ends
of the bones are covered with cartilage which makes the
surfaces of bone ends smooth for sliding against each other.
The smoothness of surfaces makes it possible to carry out the
joint movement easily and painlessly with minimum friction
thousands of times in a day. The two bones of a joint are held
together firmly in place by ligaments which also form a capsule
around the joint. The surface of ligaments is lined with
synovial membrane which secretes synovial fluid for lubricating
the joint.
Types of
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the more common
types, occurs when synovial membrane gets inflamed and joint
swells up. If it is allowed to increase, it can affect the
cartilage and cause severe pain. In its more advances stage, it
can affect other parts of the body such as lungs, heart and
eyes. This disease is three times more common in women than in
men.
Osteoarthritis, another common variety,
results when cartilage wears out. When this happens the ends of
the bones in contact with each other lose their protective
cover as well as the smooth gliding surface. The bone ends then
directly rub against each other. The joint becomes stiff and
starts paining. This condition involves joints which are
exposed to frequent wear and tear such as fingers, big toes,
knees, hips and the lower spine.
Gout, another type of arthritis, occurs
due to a defect in body chemistry. There is excess of uric acid
in the blood and crystals deposit on joints and other places.
It affects men more than women.
Ankylosing spondylitis, another form of
arthritis, affects the spine. The vertebrae get fused together
and the spine tends to stiffen up.
Arthritis
Treatments...
There are several treatments for arthritis such as:
 Medication
Application of heat - hot compresses, hot tub
bath, infrared treatment
Physiotherapy and exercise
Avoidance of over-exertion of affected
joints
Surgery in extreme cases
These treatments may not work equally well for all patients.
The patient will have to find out which treatment suits him
best. But before starting any treatment the patient must
consult his doctor.
The following
measures can be beneficial to most of the
patients:
- Reduction in body weight - higher body
weight puts more stress on body structure including the
joints. It is estimated that reduction of 11 pounds in body
weight can cut chances of osteoarthritis by as much as 50
%.
- Modest activities to avoid joint
laxity.
- Improve body
posture.
It is well known that lack of activity of body joints and
body muscles make them weak and prone to diseases. The best
guard against arthritis is to do regular exercise of all
major body joints and muscles. Our modern lifestyle
generally does not make it necessary for us to use all our
limbs regularly. We are used to desk type jobs and
sedentary living. Unless we take out time to do some
exercise, maintain correct body weight, and maintain
correct body posture we will remain susceptible.
Our body gives us sufficient indication when there is any
trouble. Arthritis can be detected early by paying
attention to any consistent joint pains. Early treatment of
the disease can save you lots of trouble, pain and agony in
the long run.
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