Arthritis Explained - What You Want to Know.

by: ScottGoodman
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Arthritis is a condition that affects the musculoskeletal system including the joints, causing stiffness, inflammation, pain and eventually damage to the joint cartilage. The joints are protected by tissue called cartilage which ensures the ends of bones don't rub against one another. They are like the glands in our body and the cells they are made of are called chondrocytes. All chondrocytes have a life cycle and when they die, new ones are made to take their place.

When there is long time inflammation, cartilage cells are destroyed and die faster than the body's ability to replace them. This is especially true if there has been an injury or there is not enough proper nutrients in the body to repair the joint. The condition causes damage where instability, deformities and joint weakness can obstruct daily life. Arthritis is normally treated with physical therapy, medication and includes changes to the person's way of life or lifestyle. If an arthritis patient does not get any relief from medication and other forms of therapies then the last option they can resort to is joint replacement.

Arthritis is divided into two main categories, i.e. localized and generalized depending on areas affected. It is further subdivided into sub-categories. One of the sub-categories is localized conditions which only affect the soft tissue that surrounds the bones or joints, and is used to relate to conditions like tendonitis or bursitis. Another sub-category of the localized conditions only affects one or only a few joints, such as a knee or hip. One of the foremost sub-categories of generalized arthritis is a condition that affects muscle and soft tissue without swelling or inflammation. This condition does not indicate joint damage. A common type of arthritis in this category is fibromyalgia.

The second sub category is one where there is inflammation and the whole body is affected. Under this category, rheumatoid arthritis would be an example of a condition you would see, along with psoriatic arthritis and gout. Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ).

Arthritis and related illnesses are the cause of major disability in the U.S. and costs over 124 billion dollars a year in medical care and indirect expenses. Maintaining the right weight, eating fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and D are simple but effective measures to prevent and arrest osteoporosis, Regular exercise and consumption of up to 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium per day for adults would help them avoid injuries caused by sports activities.

The prime cause of disability in the United States of America is caused because of arthritis; the American population spends over one hundred and twenty four billion dollars on medical care and other related expenses for treating arthritis. Individuals can help prevent osteoarthritis by following a few simple steps: Maintaining appropriate weight and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables as a good source of vitamins c and d. There should also be sufficient calcium intake, 1000-1500mg per day for adults. In addition regular, moderate exercise can help preventing sports injuries that can aggravate a condition.

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You can find many more about Arthritis and related articles at Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms News  

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