Arthritis can have many forms, some of which are the result of other disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports that as many as one in five people in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, about 46 million individuals total.
Definition
Arthritis is defined as any condition that causes joint inflammation. Arthritis typically causes pain and stiffness in the affected joint or joints. As arthritis progresses, the joint becomes more difficult to use effectively. Some forms also affect other organs or tissues of the body or are part of a systemic disease. Arthritis may be acute or chronic and may affect one joint or many. Overall, arthritis is more common in women than in men, but some types, such as gout, are more prevalent in males.
Types
According to the CDC, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and is the result of a breakdown of cartilage and bone in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, caused by the immune system attacking the joints, and gout, caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, are also common forms. Other forms of arthritis include spondyloarthropathies, such as psoriatic arthritis, and arthritis caused by diseases such as fibromyalgia or lupus.
Diagnosis
Because many forms of arthritis cause similar symptoms, only a doctor can accurately diagnose the particular form of arthritis a patient may have. Blood tests and a physical examination can help the doctor differentiate one type of arthritis from another. An x-ray of the affected joint can show whether cartilage or bone have broken down inside the joint. The doctor may also remove some fluid from the joint and observe it under a microscope to look for infectious organisms or crystals.
Treatment
If the doctor determines that an underlying disorder is causing the arthritis, he will attempt to treat that condition. For example, some forms of spondyloarthropathy, called reactive arthritis, occur as the result of infection with organisms such as salmonella, campylobacteria or chlamydia and may disappear after the infection is treated. Other types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are incurable, but medication can slow the progress of the disease and relieve pain.
Home Care
All forms of arthritis can benefit from lifestyle changes that ease the pressure on the joints and in the case of osteoarthritis, these methods are preferable to medication as a form of treatment, explains Medline Plus. Lifestyle changes that can help include participation in low-impact aerobic exercise and strength training, losing weight and taking warm showers in the morning.
