subject: Common Types Of Arthritis And Their Treatment [print this page] Common Types Of Arthritis And Their Treatment
Pain caused by inflammation of the joint is referred to as arthritis. It can be a result of trauma or even viral or bacterial infection. Arthritis is usually accompanied by symptoms such as muscle weakness and loss of flexibility. This is due to the fact that arthritis can cause the hands and feet to deform.
The most popular type of arthritis is osteoarthritis where the joint gradually wears due to constant use. Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative joint disease. It usually occurs in the hands, feet and knee joints. Risk factors for this kind of arthritis include old age, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise.
Not like osteoarthritis, septic arthritis is a result of bacterial, viral or fungal infection. It usually affects a single joint but can also spread to other parts of the body (called seeding arthritis) depending on the kind of bacteria that caused it. Septic arthritis is difficult to diagnose making it a more dreadful condition since it can destroy joints easily when left untreated.
Three more common type of arthritis are gout, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Gout is usually a result of uric acid being crystallized in the joint and can cause the infected area to become disabled while lupus is a form of disorder that accompanies arthritis cases that are more serious. Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is considered an autoimmune disease and can lead to severe deformity of the hands and feet joints.
When it comes to treating arthritis, most doctors would advise medication since it helps reduce pain caused by inflammation and can therefore delay the damage that arthritis can bring to the joints. A precaution is given though to patients concerning arthritis treatment using medication and that is to watch out for possible side effects.
The best known way to prevent the development of arthritis is by living a healthy lifestyle of eating healthy and engaging in daily physical activity. According to research, patients who suffer from arthritis notice a significant improvement on their condition with the help of exercise. Also, a more scientific approach is physical therapy or occupational therapy which allows sufferers to develop exercise techniques that best work for their condition.
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