Arthritis: Know the Facts

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Arthritis: Know the Facts

By: Jessica Vandelay

The term arthritis literally means inflammation of the joint and refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Arthritis is a chronic problem and one of the leading reasons most people visit their medical doctors.

While there are more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions under the umbrella of arthritis, the two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A great resource for information on arthritis is Arthritis Today magazine and the Arthritis Advisor from the Cleveland Clinic.

With osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, there is a breakdown in the cartilage at the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint and allow movement. As the cartilage wears away, the bones become exposed and rub against each other and then do not function properly.

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting about 33 million Americans. Although it occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65.

Like other chronic conditions, osteoarthritis has no single cause. Several factors like heredity and lifestyle including genes, weight, injury or overuse and metabolic disorders contribute to the cause of osteoarthritis. The joints in the knees, hips, hands and spine are most often affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system incorrectly attacks the cell lining inside the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, potentially disabling disease, which causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of joint function; some rheumatic conditions can result in debilitating, even life-threatening complications or may affect other parts of the body like the muscles, bones and internal organs. Unlike many diseases, doctors and health care professionals cannot diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by a blood test; instead, they have to rely on the patient’s medical history and physical exam.

While the cause if arthritis remains vague, many doctors believe genetic factors and environmental factors are responsible. Scientists and researchers continue to study arthritis extensively. For more on the breakthroughs in arthritis research, read magazines like Consumer Reports on Health magazine, Life Extension magazine and Arthritis Today magazine.

While osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease, there are ways to prevent it. Many things like extra weight and stress contribute to arthritis and are preventable.

Regular, moderate exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day, adequate sleep, good posture and protecting your joints are all ways to decrease the risk of arthritis. Magazines like Arthritis Today and general health magazines like Health, Prevention, Men’s Health and Women’s Health are a wealth of information on the best exercises, diet and management for the best possible musculoskeletal health.

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About The Author
For more on health magazines, visit www.magazines.com/category/health-fitness. Jessica Vandelay is a freelance writer in New York City.

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