What is Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. With osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage gradually deteriorates and bones become exposed and rub together, sometimes creating growths called spurs. When the joint moves, spurs grind against each other, causing pain and joint instability. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. However, it is most common in the fingers, knees, ankles, feet, hips, neck, and spine.

Osteoarthritis is mild at first. Stiffness and pain may occur in the morning or after exercise, but usually dissipate after rest. In some cases the condition worsens and can be severely debilitating. After years of wear and tear, the affected joints can become deformed or misshapen. The body cannot rebuild cartilage. Injury or overuse of a joint can accelerate the development of osteoarthritis.

Other Types of Arthritis:

Psoriatic Arthritis has general arthritic symptoms which occur in conjunction with redness and itching over the affected area. Silver or gray scaly spots may also appear on the scalp, elbows, knees or the lower spine. Inflammation as well as swelling in small joints may also occur with psoriatic arthritis. Fingernails and toenails have been known to fall off.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is different from psoriatic and osteoarthritis because of the symmetry of condition. It usually affects both sides of the body when it occurs (such as hands, wrists or knees). Rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed based on the location and symmetry of affected areas. Other symptoms and signs are more or less the same as osteoarthritis. It can be diagnosed through a blood test.

Risk Factors and Causes of Arthritis

• Obesity
• Age increases the risk
• Female gender
• Occupation
• Genetics
• Trauma

Symptoms of Arthritis

• Stiffness, pain, swelling in joints-especially in the morning or after exercise
• Movement makes the pain word, rest relieves the pain
• Limited movement and loss of flexibility in affected joints
• Growths on affected joints
• Audible crackling sounds when an affected joint moves
• Warm, red, or swollen joints
• Discomfort exacerbated by a change in the weather

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