As we grow old, our bodies begin to degenerate, and stop working. There are many different kinds of diseases that we may face during old age. All have a negative affect on our lives, making difficulty and affects our social life. Arthritis is the second leading chronic disease in the United States. Arthritis occurs when the body incorrectly identifies its own tissue as foreign matter and attacks it.

Arthritis includes a set of more than eighty autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of Arthritis:

Arthritis attacks connective tissues and joints. It causes stiffness, pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Some kinds are crippling, but rarely lead to death. Hence it is not a fatal disease.

Types of Arthritis:

There are many different kinds of arthritis. The major types are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis; others include gout. Almost everyone develops osteoarthritis when they come in old very age. Some suffers even when they are in fifties and in others it does not appear until their eighties.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form that affects older people. This form of the disease wears down the cartilage mostly through over-use and injury but there are several other causes also. This specific form of the disease causes the cartilage to break down and the bones to rub against each other. Deformity and swelling occurs because knobs of hardened bits of cartilage develop in the joint. This occur especially if a joint has been injured many times. Arthritis affects the hips, knees, spine, hands, lower back, neck. Osteoarthritis spreads throughout the body damaging organs and connective tissue. Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. Physicians seek only to relieve the pain and prevent the patient from becoming disabled. A surgeon may repair a severely damaged joint or replace it with a joint made of metal or plastic.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints in the wrists, though it may occur in any joint. About five percent of the people that have arthritis have Rheumatoid arthritis. It spreads throughout the body and damages connective tissues and organs. It will eventually, if unchecked, stiffen the joints in deformed positions. In this disease inflamed tissues erode the bones and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern, means if it occurs in one hand or knee, it will also happen on the other one. The disability that comes with the crippling aspect of Rheumatoid arthritis and is preventable by exercise programs with administration of aspirin or other drugs. A joint may be repaired or replaced. In extreme cases a gold compound injection can be used. Rheumatoid arthritis affects three times more women than men. It strikes people of all ages, though generally those of middle age or older. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inconsistent disease. In some people, it leaves after a few months or years without leaving any noticeable damage. In other people, the symptoms persist and cause the person to be unable to function.

Gouty Arthritis another type of arthritis and is a hereditary disorder that occurs more frequently in men, than women. An excess of uric acid in the blood and tissues is the cause of gouty arthritis. The pain is caused by crystals of acid formed under the skin and in the joints. Gout occurs when there is too little uric acid excreted by kidney. Gouty attack begins suddenly with severe pain, swelling in a joint and the overlaying skin becomes red and shiny. If it is untreated it can last up to seven days and further attacks are likely even after the symptoms disappear. The causes of gout are not known. Gout is treated by resting the joint and the drugs Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Indomethacin for older people who suffer from this form this type of arthritis

Treatments of Arthritis:

Although treatments differ according to the specific type of arthritis, there are some drugs that are utilize for all types. The first is Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which help in two ways. They relieve pain and fight inflammations. These drugs range from over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, to more potent types available by prescription. These have high risks of side effects ranging from mild ringing in the ears to serious gastric ulcers, kidney damage, and heart failure.

The second set of drugs is COX-2 inhibitors, which also help with pain and inflammation, but without the side effects. Some of these do not control inflammation, but only help with the pain. These include Acetaminophen. An excess of these drugs can cause liver damage and nausea and constipation. Other things that can help are keeping positive attitude, controlling weight, exercising regularly, and relaxation. In a good attitude, studies show that patients experience less pain and have less difficulty functioning. By controlling weight, less stress is feeling on areas where arthritis is commonly felt; hips, knees, back, and other places. Also, excess weight can make joint surgery more risky and difficult. Through exercise, weight gain is kept down and can increase strength in weakened muscles and joints. Through relaxation techniques, the patient feels less stress, which reduces feelings of helplessness and frustration. keep control of the arthritis, before it controls you,

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