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