The condition of arthritis is defined as a problem with the musculoskeletal system where there is stiffness, inflammation, pain and damage to the cartilage in the joints. The bones are protected in the joints by tissue called cartilage which acts as a buffer between the ends. Cartilage cells are called Chondrocytes and their needs are same as the other organs and glands in the body. All chondrocytes have a life cycle and when they die, new ones are made to take their place.
The swelling that is caused due to arthritis damages more cells of the cartilage and most of the time the body takes time to generate new cells. This is more so if the body is undernourished and lacks the required nutrients to repair or the joint has suffered an injury. The condition causes damage where instability, deformities and joint weakness can obstruct daily life. Arthritis is normally treated with physical therapy, medication and includes changes to the person's way of life or lifestyle. The last option left for the physicians to relieve the patients from discomfort is joint replacement surgery.
Arthritis is divided into two main categories, i.e. localized and generalized depending on areas affected. It is further subdivided into sub-categories. One of the sub-categories is localized conditions which only affect the soft tissue that surrounds the bones or joints, and is used to relate to conditions like tendonitis or bursitis. Another sub-category of the localized conditions only affects one or only a few joints, such as a knee or hip. One of the foremost sub-categories of generalized arthritis is a condition that affects muscle and soft tissue without swelling or inflammation. This condition does not indicate joint damage. A common type of arthritis in this category is fibromyalgia.
Another sub-category involves inflammation affecting the entire body. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psortiatis arthritis are examples of the next conditions in this subcategory. Some of the other generalized conditions are known to include: muscles or polymyositis, vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
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. The condition is most common as osteoarthritis in adults age 60 and above but it can start as early as infancy. The number of people suffering out of this condition is increasing proportionally with the increasing average age of the American population. With old age setting in people suffering with arthritis is increasing day by day.
The prime cause of disability in the United States of America is caused because of arthritis; the American population spends over one hundred and twenty four billion dollars on medical care and other related expenses for treating arthritis. Individuals can help prevent osteoarthritis by following a few simple steps: Maintaining appropriate weight and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables as a good source of vitamins c and d. There should also be sufficient calcium intake, 1000-1500mg per day for adults. In addition regular, moderate exercise can help preventing sports injuries that can aggravate a condition.
