| Arthritis is a term that includes a group of disorders | | | | perform your daily activities. |
| that affect your joints and muscles. Arthritis | | | | Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis |
| symptoms include joint pain, inflammation and limited | | | | and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| movement of joints. When a joint is inflamed it may | | | | Wear-and-Tear Arthritis (Osteoarthritis): Osteoarthritis |
| be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red. | | | | is a condition that is caused by the combination of |
| Cartilage, a slippery smooth substance, covers most | | | | several factors. While it is often called 'wear-and-tear' |
| joints to assure an even, fluid motion of the joint. | | | | arthritis, this condition is due to more than just |
| With joint arthritis, the cartilage may be damaged, | | | | wearing away of the joint surface. Osteoarthritis is |
| narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or by | | | | the most common type of arthritis. It usually causes |
| inflammation making movement painful. Arthritis | | | | pain and limited motion, and is most common in the |
| refers to inflammation of the joints. The inflammation | | | | knee joint and hip joint. |
| can affect any of the important structures inside a | | | | Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a |
| joint, including the joint lining, bones, cartilage, or | | | | systemic, autoimmune condition that causes the body |
| supporting tissues. Common symptoms of arthritis | | | | to attack its own soft-tissues and joints. Rheumatoid |
| include pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint. There | | | | arthritis most commonly affects the joints of the |
| are many possible causes of arthritis, including | | | | hands and feet, but can also cause elbow, shoulder, |
| age-related wear and tear, infections, injuries, and | | | | and neck problems. Joint swelling is often quite |
| others. | | | | pronounced in rheumatoid arthritis |
| For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot | | | | Patients suffering from arthritis have to undergo a |
| be avoided as the body ages. Fortunately, arthritis | | | | wide range of treatments which includes medication. |
| can be managed through a combination of | | | | There are over 100 medications that are presently |
| medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, | | | | being used to treat arthritis. |
| nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery. | | | | All medicines contain some side effects. Also these |
| Arthritis is a chronic disease that can stay with you | | | | side effects may vary from patient to patient. Many |
| for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life. | | | | patients undertaking arthritis related medicines |
| Your treatments will probably change over time and | | | | experience certain side effects such as stomach pain. |
| medication may be adjusted. Having a positive mental | | | | Nevertheless arthritis medicines can be very powerful |
| outlook and the support of family and friends will help | | | | and can have a profound effect on the body. |
| you live with arthritis and be able to continue to | | | | |