Arthritis litererally means "inflammation of the joint" (from the ancient Greek arthro, joint and -itis, inflammation). Arthritis actually covers a number of condition involving damage to the joints of the body (however, in some forms of arthritis, there is little or no inflammation involved).
Arthritis is sometimes called rheumatism or joint inflammation.
Arthritis is main cause of disability in old people aged 65 and over.
Forms of Arthritis
There are a number of forms of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of the disease, and is for this reason sometimes called wear and tear arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory in nature.
Certain other forms of arthritis, such as septic arthritis and viral arthritis (including the Ross River disease) are caused by infections.
Hands showing the effects of rheumatoid arthritis
Why Arthritis is So Debilitating
In our body, the joints allow our bones to move free and easily against each other. For example, if you are throwing a ball, the elbow and shoulder joints allow you to do that action freely. Or if you are running or walking, the knee and hip joints allow you to run or walk freely.
Arthritis is a disease where the joints may become worn down, deformed, unstable or covered with crystals. These events will cause pain and stop the joints from moving free and easily.
Preventative Measures
While arthritis has a number of causes that are out of our control (for example, there is a genetic factor in many sufferers of arthritis), there are some things we can do to avoid or lessen the condition.
Injury to joints should be avoided as much as possible. When injury or infection to a joint occurs, it should be treated without delay. Inflammatory forms of arthritis should be treated early.
Arthritis Treatments
There are quite a few different types of treatments for arthritis. The one chose depends on the type of arthritis and its severity, on one's age, general health and level of daily activity.
Reducing the activity level can reduce the pain. Using NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can reduce the painful inflammation. Applying ice or heat can all help. A program of gentle exercises and using some kind of support (e.g. a cane, walker, crutches, brace) can also help.
Other strategies, depending on the type of arthritis, include losing weight, changing one's diet, or taking oral corticosteroids (either orally or by injection into the joint).
Certain kinds of surgery may also help.
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