The Truth About Arthritis - What You need to Know

Arthritis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system and the damage to the joints can be bad as time goes by, accompanied by swelling and pain. Cartilage is a dense, living, tissue covering the ends of bones, protecting them from abrasion as the joint bones rub against each other.

The cells or chondrocytes which cartilage is made up of are similar to the ones in the other glands in the human body. Like in the case of all living cells, chondrocytes die and are replaced.

When there is prolonged inflammation, cartilage cells are destroyed and die faster than the body's ability to replace them. Cartilage cells are not sufficiently regenerated when there is injury or insufficient nutrition for regenerating new cells.

Damage from this condition can also cause joint weakness, instability and deformities; all of which interrupt daily activities. The traditional treatment to arthritis demands change of one's lifestyle besides physical therapy and medication. In most cases your only option is to have a replacement surgery done to soothe the excruciating pain in the joints.

Arthritis is divided into to major groups that may affect the 'localized' or 'generalized' parts of the body or even depending on the joints that get damaged; it then is further divided into sub-groups. Localized Conditions: This affects the soft tissue surrounding the joints or bones is refers to conditions such as bursitis or tendinitis.

It could just be that the localized conditions could manifest themselves in just one of two joints being affected. In generalized arthritis, the disease affects the soft tissue and muscle where there isn't any evidence of inflammation or swelling. Fibromyalgia, even though it isn't associated with joint damage, is a very common form which can be placed under this particular category.

The next condition in the second sub category causes inflammation which affects the whole body. Gout, Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are all related to this group. Still other generalized situations include polymyositis, involving muscles, systemic lupus erythematosus involving the skin, kidneys and or other organs and vasculitis where any organ is involved.

An individual is capable of having more than just one arthritis type and it includes over one hundred different medical conditions that are known to affect roughly forty six million adults and three hundred thousand children within the United States. As early on as infancy, this condition can begin, even though it is most commonly seen in adults that are over the age of sixty, in the primary form of osteoarthritis. As the population within America ages, the number of individuals that are suffering from arthritis is constantly increasing.

Medical care and indirect expenses costs over 124 billion dollars in the US where arthritis and related problems are the main cause of disability. By taking the time to follow a couple of simple steps, most individuals can help to prevent osteoarthritis: The ability to maintain the appropriate weight and consume fresh vegetables and fruits are a really good source of vitamins D and C.

Also by making sure they are getting enough calcium (adults: 1000-1500mg per day), regular exercise and to avoid injuries brought about by sports activities.

Article by: JakieDatton | Total views: 16 | Word Count: 513

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