| Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. Most of the | | | | Ankylosing spondylitis, another form of arthritis, affects |
| cases of arthritis involve the body joints but joints are | | | | the spine. The vertebrae get fused together and the |
| not the only body parts to be affected by arthritis. In its | | | | spine tends to stiffen up. |
| various forms arthritis can also affect other parts of | | | | There are several treatments for arthritis such as: |
| the body. It is one of the most commonly occurring | | | | Medication |
| diseases affecting people of all ages. However most | | | | Application of heat – hot compresses, hot tub |
| of the victims are able to go about their business as | | | | bath, infrared treatment |
| usual. | | | | Physiotherapy and exercise |
| At a body joint, ends of two bones come together. | | | | Avoidance of over-exertion of affected joints |
| The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage | | | | Surgery in extreme cases |
| which makes the surfaces of bone ends smooth for | | | | These treatments may not work equally well for all |
| sliding against each other. The smoothness of | | | | patients. The patient will have to find out which |
| surfaces makes it possible to carry out the joint | | | | treatment suits him best. But before starting any |
| movement easily and painlessly with minimum friction | | | | treatment the patient must consult his doctor. |
| thousands of times in a day. The two bones of a joint | | | | Following measures can be beneficial to most of the |
| are held together firmly in place by ligaments which | | | | patients: |
| also form a capsule around the joint. The surface of | | | | Reduction in body weight – higher body weight |
| ligaments is lined with synovial membrane which | | | | puts more stress on body structure including the joints. |
| secretes synovial fluid for lubricating the joint. | | | | It is estimated that reduction of 11 pounds in body |
| Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the more common types, | | | | weight can cut chances of osteoarthritis by as much |
| occurs when synovial membrane gets inflamed and | | | | as 50 %. |
| joint swells up. If it is allowed to increase it can affect | | | | Modest activities to avoid joint laxity. |
| the cartilage and cause severe pain. In its more | | | | Improve body posture. |
| advances stage it can affect other parts of the body | | | | It is well known that lack of activity of body joints and |
| such as lungs, heart and eyes. This disease is three | | | | body muscles make them weak and prone to |
| times more common in women than in men. | | | | diseases. The best guard against arthritis is to do |
| Osteoarthritis, another common variety, results when | | | | regular exercise of all major body joints and muscles. |
| cartilage wears out. When this happens the ends of | | | | Our modern lifestyle generally does not make it |
| the bones in contact with each other lose their | | | | necessary for us to use all our limbs regularly. We are |
| protective cover as well as the smooth gliding surface. | | | | used to desk type jobs and sedentary living. Unless |
| The bone ends then directly rub against each other. | | | | we take out time to do some exercise, maintain |
| The joint becomes stiff and starts paining. This | | | | correct body weight, and maintain correct body |
| condition involves joints which are exposed to frequent | | | | posture we will remain susceptible. |
| wear and tear such as fingers, big toes, knees, hips, | | | | Our body gives us sufficient indication when there is |
| lower spine. | | | | any trouble. Arthritis can be detected early by paying |
| Another type of arthritis, gout, occurs due to defect in | | | | attention to any consistent joint pains. An early |
| body chemistry. There is excess of uric acid in the | | | | treatment of the disease can save you from lot of |
| blood and crystals deposit on joints and other places. It | | | | trouble. |
| affects men more than women. | | | | |