Juvenile arthritis, also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis in children. Juvenile arthritis can occur in both boys and girls at any age, but symptoms most commonly begin during the toddler or early teen years. The cause of juvenile arthritis is still unknown, although theories suspect that it can have both genetic and environmental factors.
Symptoms of juvenile arthritis can be joint inflammation, joint contracture (which is a stiff, bent joint), joint damage and/or a change in growth. Other symptoms are joint stiffness or decreased activity level. The degree with which juvenile arthritis affects children varies by the symptom. The first signs are often joint pain or swelling and reddened or warmed joints.
Juvenile arthritis affects approximately 300,000 children in the United States. There are three types of juvenile arthritis: Continue Reading »
Before you can come to terms of any sort in terms of what arthritis remedy you should use, you have to fully understand the disease of arthritis itself, how it works and what is involved with it. Only by making yourself more informed in this regards first will you be able to have any success with any arthritis remedy.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic, serious condition, one that affects millions of people worldwide. It is actually one of the most common diseases in the world, and it affects the joints and bones of the body. There are several different types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis, and each different type of arthritis has a unique treatment program.
A proper diagnosis has to be made Continue Reading »
When a person suffers from hip arthritis, he or she will, under most circumstances, suffer from a condition known as osteoarthritis which a very common form of hip arthritis, and which is sometimes also known as wear-and-tear arthritis and even degenerative joint disease. This form of hip arthritis is characterized by gradual damage to the cartilage of a person’s joints and when the cartilage that protects the joints becomes worn out due to such a form of arthritis, the bones become exposed in the person’s joints resulting in a great deal of distress.
Affects Persons That Are Fifty Years Of Age Or Older
Though anyone can suffer from hip arthritis, it is normally associated with persons that are fifty years of age or older, and the problem is also more commonly seen in patients that are overweight, and also that when the same person begins to lose weight there is a gradual improvement in the condition and symptoms of hip arthritis start to fade away. Doctors also believe that hip arthritis can be caused due to genetics and so if you belong to a family in which someone has this form of arthritis, then you could also be at risk of suffering from the same.
There are certain other factors too that can cause a person to suffer from hip arthritis and these include Continue Reading »
When you are diagnosed with arthritis or first begin to experience arthritic pain, you are often in so much discomfort that you wish to quickly begin a course of arthritis medication. While you may simply wish to decrease the pain as quickly as possible, there are nine different broad categories of arthritis medications, as well as a number of different specific drugs within each category. Unfortunately, it is crucial for you to research and understand each of these drugs in order to make the best decisions regarding your health. All of these arthritis medications have advantages and disadvantages, so speak with your doctor about the medications he or she recommends.
The most popular arthritic drugs are found in the larger category known as NSAIDS, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These arthritis medications block the hormone in the body that contributes to pain, inflammation, fever, and muscle cramping. Within this category, there are three main types of drugs-COX 2 inhibitors, which are more gentle on the stomach; traditional NSAIDs, which are available in low dosage over-the-counter forms; and salicylates, which include aspirin and are potentially dangerous if used in large dosages.
The second type of arthritis medication is known as analgesics. Unlike NSAIDS, analgesics do not address the problem of inflammation, but simply addresses the pain experienced by arthritis patients. Corticosteroids, on the other hand, work by stopping inflammation. This third category is the oldest type of arthritis drugs, and when used in small dosages they can save your joints and even your life.
DMARDs (or Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) make up the fourth category of drugs used to treat arthritis. These medications are only effective when used before inflammation causes damage in the joints. A fifth category is actually a subset of the DMARDs category. Called Biologic Response Modifiers (or BRMs), they also stop disease progression. They are most often used when all other medications have failed.
There are also a few categories that are used for specific types of arthritis. Gout, for example, Continue Reading »
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, painful, progressive inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. It is suspected that those who suffer from it are of a genetic predisposition. It causes the complete fusion of the spine, resulting in rigidity known as bamboo spine. Ankylosing spondylitis typically affects young men between the ages of 15-30 who show signs of chronic pain and stiffness in the lower part of the spine. Other affected body parts are the hips, heart, lungs, heels and other peripheral areas. Males are affected three times more than women. Recurring mouth ulcers may also be experienced and fatigue is also a very common symptom.
Ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed by x-ray studies of the spine. Unfortunately, by the time the signs and symptoms show in an x-ray, a patient has already had ankylosing spondylitis for about 8-10 years. Tomography and magnetic resonance of the sacroiliac joints are now also used for a more accurate and earlier diagnosis.
There is no known cure for ankylosing spondylitis. However, treatments and medications are available to help reduce pain and symptoms in patients. Physical therapy and exercise, along with medication, are the main forms of therapy. Physiotherapy and physical exercises are usually preceded by medical treatment in order to reduce the inflammation and pain, and then this is followed by a check up with a physician.
There are three main types of medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Continue Reading »
If you suffer from arthritis, one of the most difficult symptoms with which you may have to deal is insomnia. This sleeping disorder prevents you from getting the rest you need to be healthy, which in turn makes your arthritis even worse. It can be a vicious cycle. There are many things you can do to combat arthritis, and it is important to consider all of these options so that you can get a good night’s sleep every single night.
Insomnia is categorized by a number of conditions. First, you can have difficulty falling asleep. Many people experience this at some time or another, but if you frequently cannot drift off, you may want to speak to your doctor. You may also wake up often throughout the night, for no apparent reason.
Again, this happens occasionally to everyone and more so to people such as new parents, but if you find that you are tossing and turning more than once a week, you probably suffer from insomnia. Some people with insomnia, however, Continue Reading »
