What Are The Most Common Types Of Arthritis
Upon the physical evaluation, a doctor can pinpoint what type of arthritis affects the senior. The most common type of arthritis in the elderly is osteoarthritis. Cartilage wears away in osteoarthritis. Large, weightbearing joints, like the hips, knees and lower back, are most commonly affected.
Joints in the fingers and toes may also become painful when osteoarthritis develops. The seniors arthritic joints feel stiff and sore. The discomfort mostly occurs when the joints have remained out of use, such as while sleeping, and the senior wakes up in the morning with pain.
A type of arthritis that primarily affects females is rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis leads to inflammation of the joints. The resulting pain, swelling and stiffness can be felt for hours and simultaneously affect several joints. Immobility of an affected joint may occur.
What Are The Different Types Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a broad term that describes more than 100 different joint conditions. The most common types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis, or wear and tear arthritis, which develops when joint cartilage breaks down from repeated stress. Its the most common form of arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, or arthritis of the spine .
- Juvenile arthritis , a disorder where the immune system attacks the tissue around joints. JA typically affects children 16 or younger.
- Gout, a disease that causes hard crystals of uric acid to form in your joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation that develops in people with psoriasis .
- Rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that causes the immune system to attack synovial membranes in your joints.
When Should I See My Doctor
Joints get sore and swollen for many reasons. It could be due to an injury, overuse, or doing a new type of physical activity.
See your doctor if you have pain and stiffness that starts with no clear reason, lasts for more than a few days, and also causes swelling, redness and warmth. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from getting worse and causing long-term damage.
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Ra Symptoms Often Include More Than Joint Pain
Since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease, it will progress aggressively if not treated early on. According to a study published in a 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Early diagnosis and treatment of RA can avert or substantially slow progression of joint damage in up to 90 percent of patients, thereby preventing irreversible disability. All the more reason to recognize RAs pain symptoms many of which you might not associate with arthritis pain. These can include:
- Joint pain that occurs on both sides of the body, such as both feet, ankles, wrists, or fingers
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Why You Have Arthritis
There are over 100 different types ofarthritis that can develop as you get older or following an injury. The many types of arthritis target your joints, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness and limiting your joints flexibility.
The two most common types of arthritis that affect many adults in the United States include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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What Are Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are of two basic types. One is the kind that arises near a joint with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. In this situation, the cartilage has been worn through and the bone responds by growing extra bone at the margins of the joint surface. These “spurs” carry the formal name “osteophytes.” They are common features of the osteoarthritic shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle. Removing these osteophytes is an important part of joint replacement surgery but removing them without addressing the underlying arthritis is usually not effective in relieving symptoms.
The second type of bone spur is the kind that occurs when the attachment of ligaments or tendons to bone become calcified. This can occur on the bottom of the foot around the Achilles Tendon and in the coroacoacromial ligament of the shoulder. These spurs often look impressive on X-rays, but because they are in the substance of the ligaments rarely cause sufficient problems to merit excision.
What’s New In Arthritis Research
Progress is so fast in some areas of arthritis research today that the media often report new findings before the medical journal with the information reaches your doctor’s office. As a result, you need to know how to evaluate reports on new arthritis research.
Arthritis researchers are looking at four broad areas of research. These include causes, treatments, education and prevention.
Researchers are learning more about certain conditions. For example in osteoarthritis, researchers are looking for signs of early destruction of cartilage and ways to rebuild it. For rheumatoid arthritis and other types that involve inflammation, researchers are trying to understand the steps that lead to inflammation and how it can be slowed or stopped. An initial study suggests that fibromyalgia affects more older people than originally thought and often may be overlooked in this group. Your doctor can tell you about other new research findings. If you would like to take part in arthritis research, ask your doctor for a referral to a study in your area.
Many people help make arthritis research possible. The federal government through its National Institutes of Health is the largest supporter of arthritis research. Drug companies do the most research on new medications.
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Knowing If You Have Arthritis Of The Knee
Accessed On 6th July 2016 Http: //wwweularorg/myuploaddata/files/ra%20class%20slides%20acr: Webpdf
I’ll make the point that the information I present here is obviously not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
But Im hoping to help lead people who may have the disease to an earlier diagnosis and suitable treatment.
By the way, I’ve written many more posts on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Please have a read at this link.
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Take this test: Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis?
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What Is Involved In Reviewing Your Medical History And Your Current Symptoms
When reviewing your medical history, your healthcare provider may ask the following questions:
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Have you had any illnesses or injuries that may explain the pain?
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Is there a family history of arthritis or other rheumatic diseases?
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What medication are you currently taking?
Your healthcare provider may also ask:
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What symptoms are you having? For example, pain, stiffness, difficulty with movement, or swelling.
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About your pain:
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What makes it worse?
How Arthritis In The Back Is Treated
Treatment for back arthritis depends on many factors, including your age, level of pain, type and severity of arthritis, other medical conditions and medications, and personal health goals. Because joint damage caused by arthritis is irreversible, treatment usually focuses on managing pain and preventing further damage.
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Inflammatory Arthritis Vs Osteoarthritis
Arthritis actually describes over 100 different conditions that affect joints and the surrounding tissue. They fall into two main categories: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis .
Inflammatory arthritis is a systemic disease in which the mechanisms that normally protect your body attack your own joints and tissues instead. The most well-known example is rheumatoid arthritis , which tends to be symmetrical, meaning you’ll have problems in the same joints on both sides of your body, like both wrists or both knees.
The second type of arthritis and the most common form is osteoarthritis. A degenerative disorder, it’s caused by trauma or age-related wear and tear on your joints over time. OA is most likely to affect weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hip, lower spine or big toe, but it can also cause pain and stiffness in your thumb or finger joints.
Limited Mobility Or Range Of Motion
For men and women who develop arthritis in their knees, activities that were once simple, easy, or routine may become difficult or even impossible to do without limitations and discomfort. Walking, running, or getting in and out of a car can, oftentimes, prove disproportionately challenging for patients with arthritis of the knee. The damage and loss of cartilage associated with arthritis are usually to blame for this phenomenon.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis vary from person to person. But if you have arthritis, you will almost certainly have symptoms relating to your joints, such as:
- pain
- redness and warmth in a joint
- stiffness or reduced movement of a joint
Some people also get other problems outside their joints. Other common symptoms include:
- tiredness
- weight loss
- feeling unwell
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Both cause stiff, painful joints. Both are types of arthritis. Other than that,rheumatoid arthritis andosteoarthritis share little in common.
Their differences begin with what causes them. Osteoarthritis is more commonly occurs later in life, after years of mechanical wear and tear on the cartilage which lines and cushions your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at most any age, is anautoimmune disease. That is, your body’s immune system attacks your joints.
Dr. Michael Raab explains the differences of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Click play to watch the video or read video transcript.
What is arthritis?
Here are other important things to know about the key differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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What To Do When Treatment Doesnt Work
Fifty million Americans live with some form of arthritis. If your elderly loved one starts to experience pain and inflammation, arthritis may be to blame. Whether arthritic symptoms are mild or severe, seniors will benefit from compassionate, in-home support from Assisting Hands Home Care.
We are a recognized leader in senior care. As a reputable home care agency, Assisting Hands Home Care provides high-quality support to the elderly. Core responsibilities include help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, transportation, light housekeeping, mobility assistance and pleasant companionship.
Professional caregivers are available to transport seniors to occupational therapy appointments so they learn how to lessen arthritic pain or to senior centers for yoga. When seniors are prescribed medications for arthritis symptoms, we ensure they take the right medicines at the right doses and on schedule.
Assisting Hands Home Care is your go-to resource for all nonmedical senior support. Our home care services are flexible and customized to meet unique needs. We are privileged to support the senior populations living in Palos Heights, Illinois. Call us to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.
The Importance Of Diagnosing The Right Condition
When it comes to initial symptoms, people tend to self-treat before consulting a healthcare provider. Perhaps no harm comes from taking a stab at self-treatment, but there’s likely no significant benefit either. Typically, people try common over-the-counter treatments, hoping something will make a difference. Many people who choose to self-treat find that symptoms persist. They realize they are treading water, if not getting worse, without healthcare provider’s input. Others continue to self-treat or just live with their symptoms, risking the consequences that come from delaying appropriate treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that while more than 10 million Americans have chronic joint symptoms, most have not been evaluated or treated by a healthcare provider. Of the 2.2 million people believed to have rheumatoid arthritis in the U.S., more than 700,000 have not been diagnosed or treated. Of the 1.5 million who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, more than 800,000 are under the care of a primary care physician or other healthcare provider, not a rheumatologist .
Few joints may be involved in the initial consultation with a healthcare provider. There may not be much revealed when results come back from blood tests or X-rays. But your healthcare provider will order more extensive tests until a diagnosis can be made.
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Ra Vs Psa: How Do You Tell What Arthritis Type You Have
Jump to:What is PsAWhat is RAPsA SymptomsRA SymptomsSimilarities and DifferencesCauses and DiagnosisTreatment
Arthritis, in general, is related to joint pain and damage. There are many different types of arthritis, affecting many different joints in the body. While each type of arthritis has parallel clinical symptoms like joint pain, the causes and treatments are different.
Here, we will discuss two of the most common forms of arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis . At first glance, these two types of arthritis are very hard to differentiate, because they share so many overlapping traits. In fact, without the presence of a skin rash in many cases of psoriatic arthritis, most people would not be able to tell a difference at first glance.
What Does Knee Pain Caused By Arthritis Feel Like
With the immense amount of pressure and strain put on our knees day after day and year after year, it is not surprising that knee pain is such a widespread complaint in men and women of all ages in Atlanta, GA. While there are certainly some more serious causes of knee pain, in a large number of people, knee pain is temporary and, relatively, harmless. However, if you think the pain in your knees may be caused by arthritis, here are a few telltale signs and symptoms to watch for:
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Can Imaging Exams Detect Arthritis
Imaging exams can help your healthcare provider get a clear picture of your bones, joints and soft tissues. An X-ray, MRI or ultrasound can reveal:
- Bone fractures or dislocations that may be causing you joint pain.
- Cartilage breakdown around your joints.
- Muscle, ligament or tendon injuries near your joints.
- Soft tissue inflammation.
What Are The Symptoms Of Ra
Many of the symptoms of RA mirror those of PsA. Which is why oftentimes, the presence of psoriasis is a distinguishing factor in what type of arthritis you might be diagnosed with. Flare-ups are also common during RA where the symptoms wax and wane. You might experience time periods of minimal symptoms and times when symptoms flare-up. In both RA and PsA, it is important to try to pinpoint what causes flare-ups. If you can determine underlying factors of the flare-ups , you might be able to minimize the presence of these symptoms. As with PsA, the following are RA symptoms that you may or may not have. You might only experience one or two of these symptoms or you might experience more.
Some of the more common symptoms of RA include:
- Joint stiffness
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What Are Common Arthritis Treatments
There are many things that help reduce pain, relieve stiffness and keep you moving. Your care may involve more than one kind of treatment. Your doctor may recommend medications but there are many things you can do on your own to help manage pain and fatigue and move easier.
Finding the right treatment takes time. It can involve trial and error until you and your healthcare team or therapist find what works best. Be sure to let your doctor know if a treatment is not working. Your treatment may also change as your arthritis changes.
Treatments for arthritis can be divided into several categories: medication, exercise, heat/cold, pacing, joint protection, surgery and self-help skills. You can do things in each of these areas to help yourself feel better and move easier.
Points To Remember About Arthritis
- “Arthritis” means joint inflammation. Although joint inflammation is a symptom or sign rather than a specific diagnosis, the term arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints.
- There are many types of arthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis, gout, juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Medications and surgery can treat arthritis.
- Activities that can help reduce symptoms at home include exercise hot and cold therapies relaxation therapies splints and braces and assistive devices.
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