Living with Arthritis
By learning more about these illnesses; you can help yourself or someone you know manage thier illness.
Oct 3, 2006
Many people from around the world have arthritis. Chances are you or someone you know has arthritis.
Arthritis is a word that means "Joint inflammation.” It is an illness that frequently causes pain, stiffness and sometime swelling in or around the joints which can make it hard to do the undertaking of everyday activities. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis affecting people from the very young to the elderly. The types of arthritis range from pain syndromes like fibromyalgia to illnesses that include every part of the body, such as the systemic lupus erythematosus. Tendonitis is also a form of arthritis along with Gout which is a commonly known condition, but not a recognized form of arthritis.
The two most common and most recognized forms off the arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. By learning more about these illnesses; you can help yourself or someone you know manage thier illness.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in Canada. Osteoarthritis [OA) begins with the breakdown of cartilage in joints that cushion the end of the bone. Cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain and loss of movement that can limit ones performance of every day tasks. OA most often affects the spine, the finger joints, and weight bearing joints, including the knees and hips. Other joints can be affected include the wrists, elbows, shoulders and ankles. Most commonly affecting middle aged and older people. OA can range from very mild to very severe.
What it is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis. Like osteoarthritis, it affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid Arthritis however causes inflammation in the linings off joints called the synovium, which results in pain and stiffness, as well as swelling, heat and redness. The inflammation is believed to be triggered by the immune system, which does not recognize the body’s tissue and “attacks" it, eventually bringing on joint damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a similar pattern. This means that if one knee or hand is sore, then the other one is also. The disease, often affects wrist joints and the finger joints, closest to the wrist. Other affected joints are those of the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet. For more information, speakwith your family doctor or contact the Arthritis Society at www.arthritis.ca, www.arthritis.org.
