Arthritis is common among people of all age. Currently, half of Arthritis patients aged below 65 years old. Aging, obesity and life style are causes of this disease. There are many types of arthritis but Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are the most common types.
Osteoarthritis
Symtom
Osteoarthritis occurs in hands and joints supporting body weight such as thigh, knee, ankle and back. Damage of the cartilage that supports against knocks around the joints causes the bone grind, creating pain and movement difficulties.
Cause
There are factors causing Arthritis such as heredity, aging and obesity. Injury to the joints from sports, work and accident is factor to arthritis.
Treatment
Curing method emphasizes on reducing pain and enabling movement. They are:
- Using medication to reduce pain, inflammation and movement difficulties
- Exercise to maintain flexibility of the joints and increase muscles strength around joints
- Hot/cold compress to temporarily reduce pain
- Refrain from carrying heavy objects to reduce excessive weight on joints
- Operation for patients with chronic pain
- Weight control to protect joints from excessive body weight
Rheumathoid Arthritis
Rheumathoid Arthritis is a joint pain affects many parts of the body due to inflammation on joint lining, causing pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling. The chronic pain of the joint can expand and damage bones and cartilages by releasing digestive enzyme. The joints with Rheumathoid Arthritis will be deformed, causing pain and stiffness.
Symtom
General conditions are inflammation, swelling, stiffness and chronic pain. At the early stage, patients will be fatigued, having stiff joints and pain. Swelling and pain occur in “symmetrical pattern” on both sides of the body. It usually starts from hands and feet. Pain may occur at the elbows, shoulders, neck, knee, thigh and ankle. When time passed, condition of joints with Rheumathoid Arthritis will be deteriorated.
Other conditions are loss of appetite, fever, exhaustion, anemia and lump underneath the skin around joints such as the back of the elbows.
Cause
The cause is uncertain. Rheumathoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means the body’s natural immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, initiating a process of inflammation and joint deformity. Researchers also found that Rheumathoid Arthritis can be triggered by virus or bacterium infection in people who have an inherited tendency for the disease.
Treatment
Curing rheumathoid arthritis at the initial stage is important, emphasizing on reducing chronic pain, inflmation, stop or delay joint deform process and help patients to lead a happy life.
Medication treatment
At present, efficient medicine to treat rheumathoid arthritis is available. It is known that medication treatment at early stage delays damage of the joints which is the objective.
Operation
Operation is also a method to help patients with severely damaged joints and great pain.
Exercises, sufficient rest, physical therapy and protecting the joints from possible damages are also effective curing method. Well-balanced exercise and rest also prolong good condition of joints.