Arthritis: Know the Facts

The term arthritis literally meansinflammation of the joint and refers to a group of more than 100 rheumaticdiseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling inthe joints. Arthritis is a chronic problem and one of the leading reasons most peoplevisit their medical doctors.

While there are more than 100 rheumaticdiseases and conditions under the umbrella of arthritis, the two most commontypes of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A greatresource for information on arthritis is Arthritis Today magazine and theArthritis Advisor from the Cleveland Clinic.

With osteoarthritis, alsoknown as degenerative joint disease, there is a breakdown in the cartilage at the ends of bones wherethey meet to form a joint and allow movement. As the cartilage wears away,the bones become exposed and rub against each other and then do not functionproperly.

Osteoarthritis is the most commonchronic condition of the joints, affecting about 33 million Americans. Althoughit occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people olderthan 65.

Like other chronic conditions,osteoarthritis has no single cause. Several factors like heredity and lifestyleincluding genes, weight, injury or overuse and metabolic disorders contributeto the cause of osteoarthritis.The joints in the knees, hips, hands and spine are most often affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis is anautoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system incorrectlyattacks the cell lining inside the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic,potentially disabling disease, which causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling andloss of joint function; some rheumaticconditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications ormay affect other parts of the body like the muscles, bones and internal organs. Unlike many diseases, doctors and healthcare professionals cannot diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by a blood test; instead,they have to rely on the patient’s medical history and physical exam.

While the cause ifarthritis remains vague, many doctors believe genetic factors and environmental factors areresponsible. Scientists and researchers continue to study arthritisextensively. For more on the breakthroughs in arthritis research, readmagazines like Consumer Reports on Health magazine, Life Extension magazine andArthritis Today magazine.

While osteoarthritis is a progressivedegenerative disease, there are ways to prevent it. Many things like extraweight and stress contribute to arthritis and are preventable.

Regular, moderate exercise20 to 30 minutes a day, adequate sleep, good posture and protecting your jointsare all ways to decrease the risk of arthritis. Magazines like Arthritis Todayand general health magazines like Health, Prevention, Men’s Health and Women’sHealth are a wealth of information on the best exercises, diet and managementfor the best possible musculoskeletal health.