Arthritis Glossary - A

Aerobic Exercise

Exercise that conditions the heart and lungs to use oxygen to more efficiently—thus supplying the entire body with larger amounts of oxygen-rich blood—and to build stronger muscles. Examples of aerobic activities include walking, swimming, low-impact aerobic dance, skiing, and biking.

Acetaminophen

A type of pain-relieving medication (for example, Tylenol)

Achilles tendon

The tendon at the back of the ankle

Acupuncture

A procedure based on traditional Chinese medicine in which disposable stainless steel needles are used to stimulate the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels, to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting these imbalances

Acupuncturist

A person who performs acupuncture

Adhesive Capsulitis

A condition resulting in loss of motion in the shoulder; also called frozen shoulder

Aldolase

A muscle enzyme; elevated levels indicate that there is an inflammatory muscle disease

Allergic Angiitis

An extremely rare disease that results from inflammation of the blood vessels and causes injury to many organ systems. The areas most commonly involved are the nose, sinuses, lungs, heart, intestinal tract, and nerves. Allergic angiitis also is known as Churg Strauss vasculitis (CSV), Churg Strauss syndrome and granulomatosis.

Allopurinol

A medicine that lowers uric acid levels. It may be recommended for people who have had multiple attacks of gout or kidney stones due to uric acid.

ANA (Anti-nuclear antibody)

A blood test that is used in the evaluation of possible lupus or other connective tissue disorders. When the ANA is positive, it indicates that someone may have an autoimmune disorder, but by itself it cannot make the diagnosis for sure.

ANA profile

A series of tests, consisting of an ANA and evaluation of other related antibodies. This may be done if the ANA is found to be positive, or possibly at the same time as the ANA.

ANCA (Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies)

Antibodies found in the blood in most people with Wegener’s granulomatosis, a disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and kidneys.

Anemia

A condition caused by a low red blood cell count. (Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.)

Angiography

A procedure that yields X-ray pictures of the inside of blood vessels. During angiography, a long slender tube called a catheter is inserted into a large artery (generally in the groin or arm). The catheter is slowly and carefully threaded through the artery until its tip reaches the segment of vessel to be examined. A small amount of dye is injected into the blood vessel through the catheter, and X-rays are taken. The dye enables the blood vessels to appear on the X-ray pictures.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

A type of arthritis that affects the spine and sacroiliac joint. Spondylitis may cause pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back.

Anticoagulants

Medications that thin blood

Antiphospholipid antibodies

Abnormal proteins that may increase the tendency of the blood to clot

Aquatherapy

A program of exercises performed in a large pool. Aquatherapy may be easier on painful joints because the water takes some of the weight off the painful areas while providing resistance training. Aquatherapy also is called hydrotherapy or water therapy.

Arteritis

A general term that refers to the inflammation of arteries, blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body

Arthritis

A general term that means inflammation in joints

Arthritis Mutilans

A severe, deforming, and destructive arthritis that primarily affects the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail but also is frequently associated with lower back and neck pain

Arthrocentesis

A procedure during which fluid is removed from an inflamed joint through a needle. Removing the fluid aids in diagnosing the condition and may reduce pressure within the joint, thereby reducing pain.

Arthroplasty

A surgical procedure in which diseased portions of a joint are removed

Asymmetric Arthritis

A type of arthritis with a joint distribution typical of psoriatic arthritis, usually affecting one to three joints in the body—large or small—such as the knee, hip, or one or several fingers. Asymmetric arthritis does not affect matching pairs of joints on both sides of the body. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people who have the skin condition psoriasis.

Autoimmunity

A malfunction of the immune system in which one's own tissues or organs are not recognized as self and are attacked by the body's immune system