Do you speak Arthritis? You’ll probably know some of the words . . . pain, joint, stiffness . . . but what about these?

• Acute – used for many different medical conditions (man flu!), not just arthritis. Acute simply means a rapid and/or sudden onset of the symptoms, often painful and sometimes serious. Very often it disappears almost as quickly as it arrived.
• Aerobic Exercise – this type of  exercise helps the heart to get . . . and to stay healthy and work better. People who take regular aerobic exercise can reduce their chances of suffering from arthritis.
• Antibody – these are proteins in the blood which fight off different infections . . . kind of like the bloods own private army!
• Anti-inflammatory – these drugs are often used in the treatment of arthritis . . . to reduce swelling, pain and heat.
• Arthritis – can’t have a glossary about arthritis without mentioning arthritis now can we? A disease which most commonly affects the joints causing swelling, heat, pain and stiffness.
• Autoimmune disease – this type of disease actually makes your immune system attack your own body . . . rheumatoid arthritis is an example of an autoimmune disease.
• Bursitis – The bursa is a tiny pillow of fluid which is between the bone and the tendon, and bursitis is when it becomes inflamed. This is not actually arthritis because it isn’t in the joint, it’s outside of it. It can still be very painful though, with very similar symptoms.
• Cartilage – is the covering at the end of the bones which stop them from rubbing together.
• Chronic – is kind of the opposite of acute . . . . chronic arthritis is long term and does not go away.
• Clinical – is a study or work within a medical environment which involves the patients . . . for example, a clinical research study for new medicines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Contagious disease – is a disease which is “catching” . . . it can spread from one person to another. Arthritis is not contagious.
• Cure – this word is something which arthritis sufferers long to hear, but unfortunately they’re not likely to any time soon. There is no known cure for arthritis at this time.
• Deformity – can be caused by arthritis, a change to the normal shape of the joints, often noticeable in the hands.
• Degenerative Disease – this type of disease causes damage and worsens over time . . . like osteoarthritis which is a degenerative disease.
• Dermatologist – a skin doctor.
• Deteriorate – is to get worse and worse . . . . arthritis causes your health to deteriorate.
• Diagnose – to actually get to the bottom of the health problems and find out the cause.
• Erosions – in arthritis language erosions are small holes or pits which form in the bone or the cartilage.
• Flare – this is a period of time (often short, often not) when the disease gets even worse . . . arthritis can “flare up” for a couple of months with very little warning.
• Flexibility – being able to move easily is often compromised due to arthritis, but exercise can increase the flexibility of the joints and muscles.
• Infection – is caused by germs. If cuts are not cleaned and treated properly they may become infected, and infections are always a concern after any type of surgical procedure.
• Inflammation – is a word which is all too familiar to the victims of arthritis . . . it means swelling, heat, redness and pain.  Anti inflammatory medication is taken to fight inflammation and the pain it causes, as well as some steroid medicines which can also reduce inflammation.
• Itis – as in Arthr-itis – it’s Greek meaning inflamed or swelling. Arth is the Greek word for joint, so when you put them together what have you got . . . Arthritis . . . swelling of the joints.
• Joint – hmmm, no smart answers please . . . joints are the place where two bones join together enabling us to bend and move . . . unless we get arthritis.
• Manage – you probably know all about how to manage your finances (or not!), how to manage your life when juggling kids / work / home . . . but when we talk about managing arthritis it’s all about good planning, exercise and often life style changes which will allow the disease to become more manageable.
• Medication – some arthritis medication will be prescribed by your doctor, some medication can be bought over the counter at your local drug store . . . it’s all medication.
• Mobility – is your ability to move around, and arthritis seriously affects the mobility of millions of people around the world.
• Monitor – watching out for changes in your condition. Doctors should monitor the arthritis of their patients on a regular basis.
• Narcotic – is a strong method of pain relief but it can also send you sleepy. Narcotics are also addictive . . . your body can quickly grow to need them.
• Nutrition – is important for everybody. Nutrition is food, a good healthy diet will help your body to grow and repair itself.
• Occupational Therapist – these are professionals who can help injured or ill people to learn new and easier ways of going about their everyday activities . . . . dressing, bathing, cooking, eating etc.
• Orthopaedic Surgeon – a bone doctor . . . one who operates on bones and joints, and people with arthritis.
• Osteoporosis – is the weakening and thinning of the bones, particularly in older people . . . often women. The bones become brittle and can break very easily.
• Physical Therapist – can help patients in ways that they can decrease their pain whilst maintaining strength and motion. Arthritis can be managed to a certain degree through exercise, so Physical Therapists do play a very important part in the lives of many arthritis patients.
• Psoriasis – is a dry and scaly skin rash.
• Psoriatic Arthritis – this disease causes psoriasis of the skin as well as the inflammation of many different joints.
• Psychiatrist – is a trained professional who helps people to deal with mental stress, emotional problems and illness. Some arthritus patients find that they can cope with their illness much better after visiting a psychiatrist.
• Radiologist – is an X-ray expert. X-rays are often used in the diagnosis of arthritis.
• Remission – kind of the opposite of “flare”, if your arthritis is in remission it will not have been active for a period of time.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – a type of arthritis which causes the painful inflammation of many joints.
• Rheumatologist – is a medical expert who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of problems of the joints, bones and the immune system.
• Stable – if your arthritis is stable after being carefully monitored, it means that there is no change in the condition.
• Steroid – this type of medication is often used in an effort to decrease inflammation. They are commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Surgery – some type of operation. There are many different types of surgery used for the treatment of arthritis.
• Symptom – a physical sign or feeling which could be due to the disease or illness. There are many symptoms of arthritis including stiffness and swelling.
• Systemic – means that the disease is present in all parts of the body and not localized. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease.
• Treatment – medicines and actions taken to care for an injury or disease.