One of the leading causes– if not the leading cause– of impairment in the United States is arthritis. This implies that over 16 million adults are required to limit their activities because of their arthritic condition.

What is arthritis? And what can somebody suffering from this obviously debilitating condition do to improve his or her lifestyle?

What is Arthritis– A Summary

The word arthritis originates from the Greek term nosos arthritis or literally “illness of the joints.” Therefore, from its etymology alone you can have some concept regarding what is arthritis.

However arthritis, contrary to what some might think, is not simply one disease. It is, in fact, consisted of more than a hundred different rheumatic illness and conditions that generally impact the joints (thus, its name) although some specific types target the tissues which surround the joint along with other connective tissue.

What is arthritis and what particular type it is can be figured out by the pattern, seriousness, and area of symptoms. As common in many rheumatic conditions, the patient frequently struggles with discomfort and tightness in and around several joints.

In addition, these signs can establish suddenly or go through a steady progression. In some cases, the illness might even impact the body immune system and various internal organs of the body.

For a better gauge on determining what is arthritis, below are brief profiles of two of the common kinds of the condition:

Osteoarthritis

When someone asks “what is arthritis?” The first thing that pops in our minds is the particular form of arthritis called osteoarthritis, which is by the way the most typical type.

This illness is defined by degeneration of the cartilage, its underlying bone, the joint, and its bony overgrowth.

As these tissues break down, the patient starts to suffer discomfort and stiffness of the joints.

Osteoarthritis or OA frequently occurs in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It is believed that the condition might be caused by both mechanical and molecular occasions taking place in the impacted joint, resulting in its degeneration.

Generally, osteoarthritis starts after the age of 40 and from there, the illness development is gradual.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are numerous treatment alternatives offered to handle the symptoms related to it.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another common kind of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis or RA. As systemic inflammatory illness, rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself in numerous joints, impacting the synovial membrane mainly and other organs secondarily.

As the synovium, or the lining of the joints, inflames, the cartilage and bone start to wear down, possibly leading to irreversible joint deformity.

The common signs are pain, swelling, and inflammation. In addition, the illness is also related to tiredness and extended stiffness after rest.

Again, there is no remedy for RA, but there are numerous brand-new drugs that are available to treat the disease.

By comprehending what is arthritis and its 2 common types, you will have a much better chance of comprehending the illness as a whole and remain in a much better position to make educated decisions when it pertains to choosing treatment choices.