Articles

Arthritis

What is it and what are the risk factors commonly associated with it?

Arthritis refers to a group of diseases involving the joints and bones. Although the word itself means inflammation of the joint, the most common condition is Osteoarthritis, which is not an inflammatory process but refers to wear and tear affecting cartilage, the substance that cushions the end of bones within a joint. For obvious reasons, Osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease, primarily affects the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and typically affects people is their forties and fifties; women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men. Other conditions that can cause inflammation of the joints are gout, lupus erythematosis and scleroderma but they are quite different in their causes and other symptoms and are relatively uncommon.

Societal Impact

By the age of 60 over half the population has some degeneration of their joints while almost everybody older than 80 suffers from Osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects only about 1% of the population.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis causes stiffness and pain in the joints and discomfort typically increases towards the end of the day and after increased activity. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe pain and often, crippling deformities, especially in the hands and feet.

Causes / Risk factors

Apart from age, excess weight, injury and repetitive use increase the likelihood of having Osteoarthritis. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known but it is considered an autoimmune disease wherein components of the immune system attack the soft tissue that lines the joints.

Treatment

The objective of treatment for Osteoarthritis is to relieve pain and preserve joint mobility. Aspirin and acetaminophen can be effective for mild pain relief and there are many other pain relief medications including corticosteroids and NSAIDS. Glucocorticoids can be injected into joints that become inflamed through overuse. Heat or cold therapy may also be effective for temporary pain relief. Other important components are adequate exercise to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength, weight control and joint protection to prevent strain or stress on painful joints. For Rheumatoid arthritis, rest, adequate nutrition and a variety of anti-inflammatory, pain relief and swelling reduction drugs are normal.