8 Facts about Arthritis you Must Know

Arthritis is a joint problem commonly occurring among the elderly although some may experience at an earlier age too. Yet adults are not fully aware of the implications of this health issue as it normally does not occur at this age. It develops mostly among the senior citizens who suffer a lot on account of it. It is good to be aware of the disease as one can be more sympathetic and understanding towards the elderly affected by the disease.

What are the essential facts one must know about arthritis?

1. There are Several Pain Areas

Arthritis which involves pain and commonly occurs in adults especially the senior citizens is Osteoarthritis (OA). One experiences stiffness and pain in one’s joints which includes the fingers, hips and feet and results in prolonged inactivity. This pain can also be accompanied by mild swelling in the areas that have been affected.

Osteoarthritis occurs on account of aging joints as well as obesity. Those who are obese are afflicted with this health issue as there is much weight pressure on their leg joints on account of their excessive weight. There is much strain on the joints. The symptoms do get worse if they are not treated properly.

2. There are essentially 2 Types

There are 2 types of this health issue -Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis which do not have similar causes. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to develop when the immune system does attack the tissues of the body. This does make rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune disease. The effects are indeed wide-ranging; the joints get weakened and other parts of the body also get damaged such as the blood vessels, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. Unlike OA, RA develops both sides of the patient’s body. Over a period of time Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to bone erosion as well as joint deformity. Although reasons are not known, it has been observed that women are more prone to it.

3. Children can get affected!

Children can also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritic condition is also referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Children who are under the age of 16 years are usually affected by this condition.

4. Exercising Helps!

Unlike what is normally believed, exercise is actually helpful in dealing with one’s arthritis pain as well as inflammation. One must go in for a regular form of exercise which helps in controlling one’s weight. The joint support also improves and they get lubricated. One must go in for regulated weight based training and/or even yoga that does increase the strength of one’s surrounding muscles and stiffness in the joints gets prevented. It is important to apply caution while exercising in order to prevent injuries. Do consult a doctor before starting a regular exercise regimen.

5. It can get nasty!

Gout is also the type of type of arthritis that is marked by repeated flare-ups over a period of time. Such inflammations are extremely painful and do happen when uric acid builds up which surrounds the joints. In case a particular part of one’s body, such as the toe gets affected repeatedly by uric acid based on inflammations then it will, of course, result in gout. The common symptoms of gout are rather chills and fever as well as joint pain.

6. It can get inhuman!

Animals also do suffer from arthritis symptoms. One of the most common forms of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Such symptoms are of course inflammation in the joints, cartilage breakdown, weight loss, reduced appetite.

7. The Treatment can Sting

One can make use of sting venom to treat arthritis.

This is referred to as Bee Venom Therapy which has been used to treat different diseases. Based upon a study by researchers from Brazil in 2010, bee venom therapy is indeed a very potent method of treating one’s arthritis pain. One has to give multiple shots of this bee venom over a period of given time It gets absorbed by one’s body and the immune system that slowly does adjust to the occurring effects of the venom.

Bee venom actually consists of a rather complex mix of chemical substances that do cause an increase of one’s anti-inflammatory hormone referred to as glucocorticoids in one’s body. This hormone does help in countering the respective inflammatory effects of arthritis.

8. It cannot be Cured but can be Controlled!

Presently there is no binding cure for most types of arthritis. But with the assistance of proper medication as well as therapy, the pain that one does experience with arthritis can be controlled and thus long-term based bone and health damage can get negated.

Rheumatoid arthritis does not have specific symptoms but does creep into the system very slowly with the symptoms from other diseases as well as viruses and thus gradually the frequency of such symptoms does increase and the immune system rather becomes more weak and vulnerable. In case one feels that one is suffering from the symptoms associated with arthritis then it is better to get oneself tested for the RA Factor without much delay.