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Arthritis – The Basics

Arthritis is the word used in the medical world to mean joint inflammation, although it can actually refer to more than 100 different types of disease or condition which affect the joints, the tissues surrounding the joints as well as other connective tissue.

The symptoms of arthritis can develop gradually, they can appear quite suddenly, they can disappear almost as quickly as they arrived or they can become progressively worse and affect people their whole lives . . . such is the complexity of this, the most debilitating disease in the United States. Some arthritis conditions also affect the immune system and other internal organs in the body.

Diagnosis of Arthritis

Arthritis is generally diagnosed after a physical examination, backed up by the patient’s individual history and maybe x-rays or laboratory studies. A definitive diagnosis for arthritis is a complex issue, with only really gout (which is itself a form of arthritis) having a definitive diagnosis. Gout . . . conjures up images of fat old men with red noses who drink too much port and each too much rich food . . . but it can happen to just about anyone so you have been warned.

Probably the worst part of having gout isn’t the pain . . . it’s the ridicule of so-called friends and family!  If they ain’t had it they just won’t understand . . .

Treatment of General Arthritis

Arthritis which is non-inflammatory (like osteoarthritis) can be treated with pain medication, weight loss (if necessary), a little physical activity and education in self management. Life choices really can help you to treat arthritis . . . or better still, lower the chances of you suffering from arthritis in the first place. Inflammatory types of arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis) can be treated with the above, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-rheumatic drugs and a new type of drug which are known as biologics.