Disease Information

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One of the common ailments among the elderly is arthritis. A disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, arthritis has been rated as the number one cause of physical disability in some countries like the United States. Unlike other debilitating diseases, arthritis can affect people of both sexes and of all races, socioeconomic levels as well as geographic areas.

Arthritis, in basic terms, means joint inflammation. A joint is where two or more bones meet, for example, the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, elastic material called cartilage. The cartilage acts as cushion to the bones, which enables the joint to move without pain. The joint is also lined by a thin film of tissue called synovium that produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction between the bones. When any area in and around the joint becomes inflamed, it could lead to pain, swelling and even limited mobility.

Primary and Secondary
Arthritis can be segregated into two distinct types, namely primary and secondary Arthritis. Primary Arthritis is often referred to as the ‘wear-and-tear’ Arthritis, as it is associated with aging and the degeneration of the cartilage with the advent of age. In fact, the older a person gets, the more likely he or she will experience some form of primary Arthritis. Aside from age, there is no apparent cause for primary Arthritis. Secondary Arthritis, on the other hand, can be traced to an apparent cause. The breakdown of cartilage in this case can be linked to causes such as obesity, injury, hereditary, etc

Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis affects each individual differently and at varying severity. Despite this, several general Arthritis Symptoms have been identified. They are:

*joint soreness after periods of inactivity or even overuse.

*morning stiffness that usually does not last more than 30 minutes.

*pain from weakened muscles surrounding the joint.

*decline in coordination, posture and movement due to pain and stiffness.

Who is At Risk
Arthritis often affects middle-aged and older people. Men under the age of 55 are more likely to be afflicted compared to women of the same age group. However, beyond the age of 55, women are the more commonly affected. Overall, there are more women with OA compared to men because it is believed that the broader female hip places continuing stress on the knees, which may lead to the development of Arthritis.

Risk Factors
Despite being one of the oldest forms of arthritis, the cause for Arthritis is still not completely known. However, several risk factors that may lead to Arthritis have been identified. These factors include:

Age
An important risk factor, as wear and tear plays a significant part in the development of Arthritis. In short, the incidences of Arthritis increase with age and with more use of the joints.

Obesity
Next to age, body weight is another crucial factor in developing Arthritis. This is especially so for the knees, as they are the joints that carry the brunt of the body weight. According to the Arthritis Foundation, for every pound of weight you gain, you are in fact adding 3 pounds of pressure on your knees and 6 times the pressure on your hips.

Genetics
Genetics is fast becoming a prevalent factor in Arthritis development, especially in the hands. For instance, a person may have inherited a defect in the genes responsible for making cartilage. Also, those born with joint abnormalities, for example scoliosis of the spine, are more likely to develop OA in that particular part as well.

Injury or Overusing Joints
Injuries, be it from sport or daily activity, also contribute to the occurrence of Arthritis. Athletes who have experienced knee related injuries may be at higher risk of having OA. Similarly, the stress placed on certain joints from daily repetitive motions, for example, from typing or operating machinery, may lead to the development of Arthritis later in life.

Muscle Weakness
According to the Arthritis Foundation, studies have shown that the weakening of muscles in and around the knee area can be a precursor to OA. At the same time, these studies also revealed that strengthening the thigh muscle can help to reduce the risk of Arthritis.

Other Diseases
Other than the above factors, the presence of other diseases or conditions also contribute directly to the development of Arthritis. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to having Arthritis. Similarly, those with conditions such as hemachromotosis or too much iron can experience chronic cartilage deterioration that may lead to Arthritis.

Watch the video related to arthritis

Believe it or not, you have 650 muscles and 206 bones in your body, all held together by powerful joints. If something goes wrong in these vital “connectors,” arthritis can be the painful result.Watch More Health Videos at Health Guru: www.healthguru.com

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Thanks everyone!!
Thanks everyone for all your advice, all great answers!

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