Arthritis - A Common Problem

Arthritis is a disease that affects millions of people.Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning.
Arthritis is a broad term, which is used to refer to moreInitially patients often do not have symptoms following
than 100 conditions that can cause pain in the body'stheir morning shower. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease
joints. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease and painthat warrants treatment as soon as possible to
and stiffness develop as a result of wear and tear tominimize the pain and discomfort.
the joints involved. It is not just a disease affecting theOsteoarthritis
middle aged and older. It's an equal opportunity diseaseOsteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative
affecting children as well as adults of all ages.arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is the most
Arthritis is a condition that occurs in various joints in thecommon type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually affects
body, especially in the knees, hips, and spine. Arthritis isthe hips, knees, feet or hands. Osteoarthritis is caused
second only to heart disease as a cause of workby the breakdown of protective tissue called cartilage
disability and is one of the leading causes of disability inin the joints. It causes degeneration of joint cartilage
people over the age of 55. Arthritis is most often aand changes in underlying bone and supporting tissue,
chronic disease, so symptoms may come and go, orwhich leads to joint pain and stiffness, movement
persist over time.problems and difficulty on a daily basis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious andOsteoarthritis usually is diagnosed in people older than
disabling types, affecting mostly women. Osteoarthritis40. It is classically worse at night or following rest.
is caused by the breakdown of protective tissue calledSymptoms include joint pain while standing or moving,
cartilage in the joints. Juvenile arthritis is a general termgiving out or locking of the joint, pretty constant pain,
for all types of arthritis that occur in children.decreased activity and abnormal stance or walk.
Rheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritis results from wear and tear from playing
Rheumatoid arthritis is part of a group of diseasescertain types of sports, being overweight and getting
known as autoimmune diseases. The joint liningolder.
becomes inflamed as part of the body's immuneArthritis is not a new disease it was found in factory
system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmuneworkers during the Industrial Revolution. As the
disease that occurs when the bodies own immunepopulation ages, the number of people with arthritis is
system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lininggrowing. It is a leading cause of disability and a
inside the joint). Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the mostsignificant public health concern. Arthritis is a painful
serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women. Itcondition, and for this reason it should always be taken
causes affected joints to feel tender, stiff and swollen.seriously.