Understanding Arthritis - RA, Osteoarthritis, and FMS
Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010
by Dr. Carla Goddard
Say the words "it's arthritis" suddenly a person becomes full of fear, images of horrific pain, and old. The word arthritis can evoke hopelessness it the soul of everyone who hears that diagnosis from a physician. First of all, let me tell you that there is hope.
Arthritis means (from Greek root words) 'arth' joint and 'itis' inflammation or infection. So the literal meaning of the word is inflammation of the joint. However, even that is misleading because there are various forms of arthritis in which the joint itself is not inflamed. Many physicians say it is simply a problem with the area of a joint. Pretty broad.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects adults from the ages of 20 - 50 or in children approaching their adolescence years. Pretty much means at any time it can onset. The Arthritis Foundation statistics show that nearly 75% of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis are female. Symptoms can be swelling, redness, warmth to the touch, pain, tenderness, stiffness and muscle aches around the joints. It can also cause fatigue, nodules, and fever.
What is really happening? The symmetrical joints (wrists, knees, knuckles) have inflammation of the synovial membrane. This membrane is what protects the joint and secretes fluid from its sac to oil or lubricate the joint. Without this lubrication the bone begins to destruct itself, damage happens to the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the joint capsule. One physician explained it like this to me, "the synovial sac inside the membrane is what produces the oil. Like a car engine that needs motor oil to operate. What happens to the engine if you run it out of oil? The metal pieces start grinding together, wear out and stop functioning. It is the same thing with the synovial oil. When it stops lubricating due to inflammation, the joint eventually stops working." Makes sense to me.
Your health care professional can take blood tests, x rays and examine the joint fluid in your joints in order to determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis. The prognosis is deformity can be prevented often if caught early and tends to lessen in aggressiveness after a certain point. Treat is usually some sort of medication or surgery (depending on the severity of the deformed joint), reduce inflammation,balance diet, weight control, heat, and general relaxation methods.
Osteoarthritis usually has its onset after 45 and to some degree it affects nearly everyone as they age. There is no difference in sex for this type. It features localized pain and stiffness with bony knobs on end of joints especially fingers. There is not usually much swelling. One is happening? With this type of arthritis the cartilage that covers the end of each bone to protect it. In osteoarthritis the cartilage degenerates. When the bone regeneration or cartilage regeneration happens it can result in bone spurs. It normally affects the hands, spine, knees, and hips. Prognosis is as differing as the people suffering with it. For some slight pain, yet for others a disability pain and everything in between. It can only be diagnosed by x ray. The treatment is the same as for rheumatoid arthritis; keep up activity level as much as possible, exercise, weight control, heat and for many medication and or surgery. Healthy diet and ways to relax.
Fibromyalgia is a form that is widespread and often not talked about. Most people do not even realize that it is part of the arthritis family. This is the form of arthritis that is not on the joint but rather in the area surrounding the joint. There are usually certain tender points, muscles, ligaments and tendons that are affected. It can hit at any time and the medical society still today has no idea what happens nor what causes it. It is normally accompanied by sleep disturbance and prolonged muscle spasms. This affects far more females than males according to the American Arthritis Foundation. The overall aching, morning stiffness, fatigue are usually are misdiagnosed for long periods of time. The prognosis is the same as other forms of arthritis, for some it is mild for others it can be painfully disabling combined with overwhelming fatigue. The physicians can test for fibromyalgia by doing tender point exams, blood tests to exclude other conditions. The only additional treatment that is normally suggested for this form of arthritis is medication to enhance sleep.
Overall, in each kind of arthritis a different joint tissue is involved. All inflammation needs to be reduced, proper nutrition, sleep, and mobility are the primary concerns. They must be addressed and worked on to find solutions that work for you.
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