Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. It is usually accompanied by pain and stiffness, as well as swelling, deformity or diminished range of motion. Bone growths or spurs may develop in affected joints. Arthritic joints may make noise when they move. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis tend to make a sound like crinkling cellophane, whereas osteoarthritic joints make popping, clicking noises.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, involves deterioration of the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones. It is sometimes caused by injury or and inherited defect in the protein that forms cartilage. More commonly, it is a result of the wear and tear of aging, diet and lifestyle.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. The body’s immune system inaccurately identifies the synovial membrane as foreign. Inflammation, pain and eventual destruction of cartilage follows. Damaged tissue is replaced by scar tissue and bones fuse together. During the course of the disease, symptoms include stiffness, swelling, anaemia, fatigue, fever and crippling pain.

Arthritis can also be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infection of a joint.

The microorganisms most commonly involved in this type of the disorder are streptococci, staphylococci, gonococci, hemophilus, or tubercle bacilli and fungi. Usually the infecting organisms’ travels to the joint through the bloodstream from an infection elsewhere in the body, but injury or even surgery can result in joint infection as well.

With proper diet and lifestyle changes, arthritis may be addressed, and these simple changes may not only relieve the inflammation and pain but also stop degeneration and rejuvenate the affected joints.