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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nArthritis is a disease that affects one in every seven people and can occur at any age. . It is a disease that can severely limit the ability to move. It can have a slow onset, or come on quickly.\u00a0 Once it starts, it usually lasts your entire life. There are many ways that its symptoms can be reduced so that people who have it can remain active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arthritis is\noften characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and problems with movement in\none or more joints. Any of these symptoms that persist for 10 days or more\nshould be discussed with your doctor. It is important to remember that symptoms\nmay be constant or they may come and go. Symptoms can occur during physical\nactivity or they can occur while at rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because there are\nso many different types of arthritis, it is important for your doctor to\nperform a complete history and physical in order to make a correct diagnosis.\nOften the exam will include a blood test, a urine analysis, a joint fluid\nspecimen, and an x-ray of the involved joints. To help your doctor, you should\nbe able to tell him or her when you first noticed the pain, how long you have\nhad it, when it hurts, where the pain is located, whether you have noticed any\nswelling, if you had any trauma to the area, and whether there is a family\nhistory of this type of problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Osteoarthritis This is the most common form of arthritis.\nIt is also called degenerative arthritis. It usually affects weight-bearing\njoints such as the hips, knees, and back, but it can affect almost any joint.\nIt causes pain and stiffness and is due to degeneration of the bone and\ncartilage. Men and women are usually affected at the same rate of occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rheumatoid\nArthritis This is an inflammatory form\nof arthritis that is caused by the body\u2019s own immune system acting on the\njoints. The joint lining is affected first and then spreads to the cartilage\nand bone. It occurs in women more often than in men, and it affects the same\njoints on both sides of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the\ntype of arthritis and its severity, treatment plans will vary and must be\ncustomized to the individual\u2019s specific needs. Medications that act on the pain\nand the swelling include those sold over the counter as well as prescriptions.\nExercise programs and physical therapy have helped many people relieve symptoms\nand increase joint mobility. The use of ice or heat over the joint may help as\nwell. Excess weight can also cause a person\u2019s arthritis to worsen. In all\ninstances it is important to discuss symptoms and all treatment plans with your\ndoctor.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arthritis is a chronic disease that most often affects areas of the body that are in or around joints. A joint is the area where bones meet: an example of this would be the knee. Bones are covered at their … Continue reading