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What Is the Meaning of Arthritis?

The term arthritis comes from the Greek arthro-, meaning joint, and -itis, meaning inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation: "Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation's leading cause of disability among American's over age 16." Although heart disease is the number one cause of work disability, arthritis makes a close second. The disease limits many everyday activities including walking, dressing and bathing; it affects more than 7 million Americans.

  1. Definition

    • The Mayo Clinic defines arthritis as "inflammation of one or more of your joints" and claims, "The 2 most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms." Less common arthritic conditions include lupus that affects the kidneys and lungs (in addition to joints) and psoriasis, which mainly affects the skin.

    Joints

    • Joint damage is the primary cause of arthritic pain. Joints are made up of three parts: cartilage---a hard slick coating on the ends of bones that lets joints slide smoothly; joint capsule---the tough membrane that encases the joint parts; and synovium---the thin membrane that lines the join capsule and secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint.

    Symptoms

    • The Mayo Clinic reports pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and decreased range of motion in the joints. Symptoms affecting other body parts include fever, fatigue, rash weigh loss, breathing problems, dry eyes and mouth, and night sweats.

    Main Types

    • Osteoarthritis occurs when wear and tear causes damage to cartilage, resulting the bone grinding. Wear and tear can happen over many years, or immediately by joint injury or infection. The breakdown of cartilage causes pain and restricted movement. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the synovium. This causes swelling, redness and pain, and can eventually destroy cartilage and bone inside the joint. Gout is the defective processing of uric acid and causes arthritis in the feet.

    Risk Factors

    • The main risk factors for arthritis are family history, age, sex, obesity and previous joint injury. Some types of arthritis run in families, and while genes do not cause arthritis, they can make you more vulnerable to environmental causes. The risk of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and gout increases with age. Different types of arthritis affect the sexes differently: women are more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis, while men are more likely to develop gout. Injured joints more likely develop arthritis due to the underlying damage. Excess weight put stress on joints, which increases the rate of normal wear and tear, increasing the risk of arthritic conditions.

    Fighting Back

    • According to the Center for Disease Control, the best ways to fight and prevent arthritis are physical activity, a healthy weight, and regular doctor visits. For those with arthritis, physical activity reduces pain and improves physical function. Weight control, weight loss and joint protection lower the risk of developing arthritis. Always consult a physician, since early diagnoses and appropriate management are important, especially for those with inflammatory arthritis.

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