Basic information about Arthritis

 Arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the condition wherein there’s an inflammation of one or more joints in the body. The involved joints are warm, swollen, tender and painful, especially during movement because the collagen in the cartilage had been diminished for various factors.

What are the known types of Arthritis?

• Osteoarthritis
• Gouty arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus arthritis

Osteoporosis (or degenerative joint disease)

The Osteoporosis or degenerative joint disease is the most common which occurs chiefly in older persons characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage.  There are also eventual changes in the bone and synovial membrane, accompanied by pain and stiffness.

Gouty arthritis

Gouty arthritis is the results from large amount of uric acid deposited in the joints.  It may also appear in the body’s other structures such as the ear cartilage, subcutaneous tissues and kidneys.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory connective tissue disease.  This is very common among women (35-45 years old) characterized by bilateral, symmetrical joint disease.  There are also erosive changes and positive test for rheumatoid factor. It also affects other organs and systems of the body.

Lupus arthritis

The lupus arthritis a multi-organ disease affecting young women with butterfly rash in the face and polyarthritis and the involvement of other organs like the kidneys, lungs and the heart.

How does individual develop Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis may result from the following:

• The wear and tear of the joints due to aging
• The family tendency to develop arthritis
• The obesity causing extra stress on the joints
• The joint trauma due to spot injury
• The repetitive overuse of joints
• The joint inflammation secondary to gout or rheumatoid arthritis

What are the main symptoms and signs of Osteoarthritis?

• The arthritic patients will be suffering from pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints (such as hands, knees, ankles and hips).
• The arthritic joints usually may produce deformities most common in the hands and fingers.
• The symptoms and signs arthritis may not be exhibit in some patients even though some arthritic changes are shown in the x-ray findings.

What is the number statistics of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is very ordinary and commonly affects people who are already over age of 45 years old. The statistics also increases with age. Over 50% of those 65 years old and above develop sighs of osteoarthritis on x-ray. In the Philippines alone, it is estimated that about 11 million Filipinos suffer from osteoarthritis based on a recent prevailing survey of 16%.

What would results to the joint of an arthritic patient?

The cartilage (which is composed of 50% collagen) that protects the joints and cushions the bones during movement breaks down because of aging and perhaps repetitive abusive use. The cartilage tends to be damaged when the joint is used. Repairing process is only possible and sets in when there’s formation of new cartilage.

The pain is caused by friction when the spurs are formed that hamper the movement of the joints because of the bones growth.

How shall we manage Osteoarthritis?

The main aim why we are treating Osteoarthritis is to reduce and/or relieve pain, decrease the inflammation in order to increase our mobility. These are achieved through:

• Taking enough rest
• Regular Exercise like muscle stretching and strengthening
• Maintain proper weight and weight reduction for overweight or obese
• Drug treatment like using analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy and treatment by way of heat and exercise for weight-bearing joints
• Using joint protection like canes, braces, bandages and walking aids
• Undergoing joint replacement in severe cases

What are the common drugs that physicians prescribe to relieve pain and joint swelling in arthritis?

• Paracetamol
  If your joint pain and inflammation is very minimal, Paracetamol is effective in relieving the pain.
• NSAID
  (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)

If your joints are painful and swollen and you find it difficult to move, your doctor may prescribe an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) which reduces inflammation by blocking the release of pain substances known as prostaglandins.

NSAID is tolerated by some patients by taking occasionally. Take caution, if large doses are taken for more thank two weeks, this may caused you stomach upset, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. There may also allergic reactions in some hypersensitive persons. Furthermore, NSAID may lead to stomach bleeding and kidney failure usually with some elderly people and those with ulcer and kidney disease history.