Arthritis

The word arthritis comes from the Greek term nosos arthritis or literally “disease of the joints.” Therefore, from its etymology alone you can have some idea as to what is arthritis.

But arthritis, contrary to what some may believe, is not just one disease. It is, in fact, comprised of more than a hundred different rheumatic diseases and conditions that mainly affect the joints (hence, its name) although some specific types target the tissues which surround the joint as well as other connective tissue.

What is arthritis and what specific type it is can be determined by the pattern, severity, and location of symptoms. As typical in most rheumatic conditions, the patient often suffers from pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints.

In addition, these symptoms can develop all of a sudden or go through a gradual progression. In some cases, the disease may even affect the immune system and various internal organs of the body.

Arthritis generally afflicts people between the ages of 20 and 50, but can affect all ages, even infants. The average age of onset is 47 and about three out of every five people with arthritis are under 65 years of age.

Arthritic expenditures for just one person due to lost wages, medical treatment and other related expenses could come to more than $150,000 in his or her lifetime. And doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: all forms cause joint inflammation.

Joints can hold some heavy pressure. For instance, on average knees hold a force of three to four times the person’s weight. During a squat the force of a deep knee bend can increase to nine times the body weight.

So just imagine multiplying weight of more than 150 pounds times a minimum of three or four, and then even more, which can sure add up to a lot of heavy work on knee joints over time.

Cartilage

Joint is where two bones meet. The bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristle. This cartilage is sturdy, spongy or compressible and elastic, and prevents the bones from moving against each other at the joint. Chondrocytes, the cells of this cartilage, are considered to be the longest living cells of the body.

Membrane Surrounding The Cartilage

A strong, fibrous capsule lined with synovium is surrounding the bones and cartilage. This is a thin membrane that lubricates the joint area with fluid. This membrane is responsible for less friction or smoother rubbing together of the bones.

This fluid also feds the cartilage cells, keeping them healthy, and is pumped into them during joint movement. For this reason it is unhealthy, if there is lack of movement.

Other Body Parts

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae and mental activity are the other parts of the body features that are involved with arthritis. Muscles, attached to bones with tendons and ligaments, move bones by contracting.

These muscles are responsible for the cushion movement, absorbing impact or shock. Bursae or sacs filled with fluid are found throughout the muscle and tendon areas are. These also help cushion movement.

Throughout all the coordination, brain is a part of these parts during movement. The brain communicates with body parts with the help of nerves, in particular the muscles for this situation, to prepare joints for activity.

Causes Of Arthritis

Still researches are going to find out the exact causes of arthritis. For most of the 100-plus forms of arthritis, the causes are unknown. Some of the causes of Arthritis are injury, overuse of joints and mechanical issues with joints.

Other causes of arthritis are issues relating to bacteria and germs. Heredity, stress, drugs, food allergies and viruses have also been linked to some forms of arthritis. So have diet, poor circulation and lack of movement.

Some of the most common types of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common from all the types of arthritis. It is also called degenerative arthritis. This occurs when the cushioning cartilage, the elastic material that covers and protects the ends of the joints, breaks down. Fragments of cartilage may break off causing pain and swelling in the joint between bones. The swelling is called inflammation.

Osteoarthritis or OA commonly occurs in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It is believed that the condition might be caused by both mechanical and molecular events occurring in the affected joint, leading to its degeneration.

Generally, osteoarthritis begins after the age of 40 and from there, the disease progression is gradual. There is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are several treatment options available to manage the symptoms associated with it

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the types of arthritis where the immune system attacks the lining, or synovial membrane of the joints. The joint damage can become severe and deformity may result.

The common symptoms are pain, swelling, and redness. In addition, the disease is also associated with fatigue and prolonged stiffness after rest. Again, there is no cure for RA, but there are several new drugs that are available to treat the disease.