By Roberta Smith


Arthritis as a disorder of the joints may affect multiple joints in the same patient simultaneously. Various varieties of the condition have been found to affect both animals and human beings. Pain is a key distinguishing feature of this medical condition by which it may be identified. People who suffer from the condition have the quality of their lives adversely affected. Arthritis pain is a common problem in all ages of people, but it show higher prevalence in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Generally, there are more than 100 varieties of this disease in existence today. Major types are gout, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, septic, and juvenile idiopathic. Most people suffer from the osteoarthritis variety. Arthritis occurs as the primary cause of aching in joints in many cases. However, it also occurs as a secondary cause with some other disease being the major cause of discomfort. Celiac disease, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, psoriasis, hepatitis, Lyme disease, systemic lupus erythematous, wipple disease, and familial Mediterranean fever are some example of diseases that may occur as the primary causes of aching in joints.

A forty five percent increase in disorders caused by musculoskeletal disorders resulted between 1990 and 2010. Osteoarthritis accounted for the highest increase in disabilities due to musculoskeletal disorders. Data collected from Africa was inconsistent and with high underestimations. However, data in other continents featured a high degree of accuracy. The increase was as a result of many factors working together.

The condition can be identified by the many symptoms that accompany it. Symptoms usually differ from one variety to another. However, pain characterizes virtually all the arthripides. The pains are characterized differently in each variety. Aching, stiffness, and swelling of joints are the other common symptoms patients experience. Other symptoms usually results if the condition is one that affects other organs.

Apart from the aforementioned symptoms, patients become fatigued and lose the ability to walk due to stiffness in joints. Patients also lose weight, have poor sleep, and experience aches and pains in joints. Regions near joints in question become inflamed and tender. Secondary symptoms start to manifest as the disease advances. For example, loss of mobility and inability to exercise causes loss of flexibility, reduced aerobic fitness, and muscle weakness.

Diagnosis is usually made by clinical examination by a qualified health practitioner. Diagnostic results from clinical examination is often supported by other tests like blood tests and radiology. The kind of diagnostic test used depends on the variety suspected to be present. Diagnosis is hugely guided by the history of the disease.

The diagnostic results are based upon to formulate treatment plans. Treatment plans are determined only after knowing which variety one has. This is due to the fact that various varieties are treated with different treatments. Medications, physical therapy, orthopedic bracing, and lifestyle changes are among the common treatment options available. Joint replacement surgery is used if the condition is causing erosion of joints.

Medications that reduce inflammation help to relieve pain. Besides relieving pains, reduction in inflammation also slows the rate at which joint damage occurs. In some varieties, pain may be relieved by taking a shower or mild exercise. No known cure has been found for Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.




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