Arthritis

If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin.

One type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is often related to aging or to an injury. Other types occur when your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of the disease that happens in children.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Arthritis on Wikipedia

'''Arthritis''' (from Greek ''arthro-'', joint + ''-itis'', inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. One in three adult Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and the disease affects about twice as many women as men. Arthritic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune disorder; septic arthritis, caused by joint infection; and the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Arthritis can be caused from strains and injuries caused by repetitive motion, sports, overexertion, and falls. Unlike the autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis largely affects older people and results from the degeneration of joint cartilage. Other forms are discussed below. Arthritic joints can be sensitive to weather changes. The increased sensitivity is thought to be caused by the affected joints developing extra nerve endings in an attempt to protect the joint from further damage.

Signs and symptoms

All arthritides feature pain, which is generally worse in the morning and on initiating movement, and resolves in the course of time. In elderly people and children, the pain may not be the main feature, and the patient simply moves less (elderly) or refuse to use the affected limb (children). When faced with joint pain, a doctor will generally ask about several other medical symptoms (such as fever, skin symptoms, breathlessness, Raynaud's phenomenon) that may narrow down the differential diagnosis to a few items, for which testing can be done. Arthritis and fever together are pointers towards ''septic arthritis'' (see below). This is a medical emergency, and requires urgent referral to a rheumatology.

Diagnosis

The various types of arthritis can be distinguished by the pace of onset, the age and sex of the patient, the amount of (and which) joints affected, additional symptoms (such ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Comfort-U - Total body support pillow offered to individuals suffering with pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and backaches. Site provides online ordering, testimonials, a newsletter, care tips, and list of uses.

The Ultimate Nutrient - For anyone suffering from CFS, EBV, lupus, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/Aids, sinusitis, and cancer. By Jesse A. Stoff, M.D. one of the world's leading viro-immunologists.

Stop Arthritis Now - Describing one man's journey through treating arthritis and the natural remedies he discovered.

I Cured My Arthritis You Can Too - The right foods and exercises for relieving arthritic pain.

Bunker's Backyard - Features beds, coats, bowls, collars, and toys. Also, treats for help with hip pain, arthritis, and diabetes.

Old Dog Cookie Co. - Natural arthritis relief and diabetic biscuits.

Pegasus Pet Care Products - Providing natural food mixes, treats, supplements, vitamins and health care products. Also, arthritis support, therapy bedding, and paw protection.

Fuzzytummy - Featuring dog and cat dental care products and treats, citronella anti-bark collars, and arthritis and joint nutraceuticals.

Arthrix - Alternative medicine for the treatment of pain in dogs and cats suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia or joint injuries; available in chewable tablets.

Sea Starr Animal Health - All natural shark cartilage supplements for joints and for the alleviation of arthritis, skin problems and dull coat.

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