Introduction – Arthritis

ARTHRITIS: WHAT IS IT?

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Approximately 40 million people in the United States have arthritis. It is a disorder of the joints that connect the bones of the body. The name arthritis means joint inflammation or swelling.

Joints are located wherever two or more bones meet. Cartilage and a lubricating fluid form a smooth gliding surface for the bones of the joint. Ligaments hold the joint together. When joints become injured or diseased, they swell. Over 100 types of arthritis affect the joints and connective tissues of the body.

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defense system. It is a natural reaction to injury. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and redness. It also decreases motion in the affected area. With arthritis, inflammation becomes part of the problem. It causes tissue damage that the body tries to handle by creating more inflammation. This painful cycle of destruction changes the bones and other joint tissues and limits their function.

The cause of arthritis is unknown, although clues are being uncovered. For example, people with certain gene types are prone to certain forms of arthritis. There also seems to be infections that trigger the onset of arthritis.

Each type of arthritis has different symptoms and patterns and each requires different treatments. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, followed by spinal arthritis, lupus, gout, scleroderma, and juvenile arthritis.

Some forms of arthritis go through cycles of getting better and worse. A flare-up means the disease is more active. During this time, there is increased morning stiffness, more pain and swelling in the joints, involvement of new joints, and increased tiredness and fatigue. Flare-ups can occur after eating a specific food. Milk is the most common offender. Other foods that can cause flare-ups are shrimp, wheat products, and certain meats.

Treatment for most forms of arthritis includes drugs, exercise, and rest. Joint protection and surgery are sometimes needed as well.

ARTHRITIS OR RHEUMATISM?

You may have heard a grandparent complain, “Oh, my rheumatism is acting up again!”.

This was a common complaint for warm, stiff, and swollen joints and muscles. Many people believed that rheumatism was brought on by bad weather or strenuous activity. The cure was a hot bath and willow bark tea or aspirin. This term has fallen out of favor over the past years.

We are now able to be more specific in our diagnoses. Before, it was easy to lump all conditions that shared arthritis symptoms together. If one had any muscular or joint problem, people called it “rheumatism.” Now, physical exams, X-rays and lab tests are used to tell what specific kind of arthritis a person has. Over 100 types of arthritis affect the joints and connective tissues of the body.

Do not assume that you have “rheumatism” because it runs in your family. If you or a loved one have joint problems for longer than two weeks, see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.