Arthritis is derived from Greek words ‘arthro’ and ‘itis’, which mean joint and arthritides respectively. Arthritis is group of conditions where there is damage caused to joints of body. Arthritis is leading cause of disability in people over 55 years.
There are many different forms of arthritis, every one of them with a different cause. Most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease) occurs following trauma to joint, following an infection of joint or simply as a result of aging. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that abnormal anatomy may contribute to early development of osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in joint that results in subsequent inflammation. Additionally, there is a less common form of gout that is caused by the formation of rhomboidal shaped crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This form of gout is known as pseudogout.
The common feature of all arthritides is pain. Patterns of pain differ among the arthritides and the location. Osteoarthritis is as a routine worse at night or following rest. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning. Elements of history of pain (onset, number of joints and which involved, duration, aggravating and relieving factors) all guide diagnosis. Physical examination typically confirms diagnosis. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner. Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to make the diagnosis. Screening blood tests may be indicated if certain arthritides are suspected. This may include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen and specific antibodies.
Primary forms of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Septic arthritis, Gout and pseudogout, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Still's disease and Ankylosing spondylitis. Arthritis is also secondary to other devices such as Lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Psoriatic arthritis, Reactive arthritis, Haemochromatosis, Hepatitis, Wegener's granulomatosis (and many other vasculitis syndromes), Lyme disease, Familial Mediterranean fever, Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with recurrent fever, TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome and Inflammatory bowel disease (Including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Diseases that can mimic arthritis are Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, Multiple myeloma, Osteoporosis and Fifth disease.
|
|
Treatments vary depending on arthritis type and include occupational and physical therapy, lifestyle changes that include weight control and exercise, and medications (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty - joint replacement surgery - may be required in eroding forms of arthritis. Physical exercising of the affected joint can have noticeable improvement in terms of long-term pain relief. Furthermore, exercising of the arthritic joint is encouraged to maintain the health of the affected joint.
Human arthritis goes back as far as 4500 BC. It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found in parts of Tennessee and Kansas. Arthritis evidence has been found throughout history, from in Egyptian and European mummies dating back to 3000 to 2500 BC.
|
