What is arthritis and rheumatism?
Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the body, though the term is used to describe
almost all problems associated with the joints. You may have heard
of arthritis referred to as rheumatism.
Rheumatism is a term that most people are familiar with, it is a
very general term used to describe any aches and pains in the bones,
muscles and joints. The word rheumatism is usually used when no
specific arthritis or disease can be found as the cause of the person's
symptoms.Rheumatic
disease refers to any type of arthritis, rheumatism or musculoskeletal
disease. There are over 100 conditions altogether, some rare and
some common. Arthritis can affect anyone of any age, including children,
however, arthritis tends to affect women more than men.
What are joints?
Joints join one bone to another
and are designed to allow bones to move more freely. At the ends
of the bones, the joints are cushioned by a firm, rubbery material
called cartilage. As we get older this cartilage becomes more vulnerable
to damage from overuse and injury.
What types of arthritis and rheumatism are there?
There are many forms of arthritis
and rheumatism, some related to wear and tear (e.g. osteoarthritis) and those which
are a result of an over-active immune
system (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). The most common forms of
rheumatic disease are:
-
Osteoarthritis - this
is the most common form of arthritis, for more informationclick
here.
-
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - this is a type of inflammatory arthritis,
for more informationclick
here.
-
Gout - this is another
type of inflammatory arthritis for more informationclick
here.
-
Fibromyalgia - this
is a type of soft tissue rheumatism, for more informationclick
here.
-
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus for short
- for more information click
here.
-
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - for
more information click
here.
-
Juvenile arthritis - for more information click
here.
-
Back pain - this is a common problem and can have
a number of causes, for more information click
here.
What are the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism?
The symptoms you experience will depend
greatly on the type of arthritis or rheumatism you are suffering with. However,
the following symptoms may indicate that you have arthritis or rheumatism:
-
Swelling in one or more joints.
-
Stiffness around the joints.
-
Joints that look red and
can be warm to the touch.
-
Constant or recurring pain in a joint that has no obvious cause.
-
Sudden difficulty in moving or using a joint.
Any joint in the body can be affected by arthritis and rheumatism.
However, the knees, fingers and hips are the joints most commonly
affected.If you have rheumatoid arthritis you may also experience
a mild fever and loss of appetite or energy. Symptoms of arthritis
tend to be worse in the morning and sometimes in cold, damp weather.
When the affected joints are moved you may hear a click or crack.
How will arthritis and rheumatism affect me?
Again this depends on greatly on the type of arthritis
or rheumatism you have. You may find it will affect you for years
or it might just affect you for a few months and then get better,
either on its own or as a result of treatment. It is often difficult
for your doctor to tell in the early stages what course your disease
will take.
Am I at risk of getting arthritis and rheumatism?
Anyone of any age, race or sex can get rheumatic disease and scientists are not entirely sure what
causes it to develop. However, you are more at risk if:
Can I do anything to prevent
getting arthritis and rheumatism?
Though there is nothing you can do to
prevent getting arthritis and rheumatism you should maintain a healthy diet and
ensure you get regular exercise, this will help prevent weight gain
and joint stiffness.
How is arthritis and rheumatism diagnosed?
Your doctor will normally suspect arthritis
or rheumatism from your symptoms and medical history. In many cases arthritis
may also be diagnosed from a physical examination of the joints,
especially if it's a large joint that is affected. You may require
a blood test to confirm what type of arthritis you are suffering
with, as rheumatoid arthritis needs to be quickly diagnosed. An
x-ray of the affected area will usually confirm the diagnosis.
How is arthritis and rheumatism treated?
There is no cure for most types
of arthritis, however, there is a large range of treatments available
to help you live a normal life. The treatment you receive will depend
on the type of arthritis you have and how severe your symptoms are.
Some people may only require a simple, daily exercise program to
help ease the pain and improve movement in the joint. If you suffer with soft tissue rheumatism, such as tennis elbow or back pain the pain may be short lived and can go away without the need for any treatment.
If you are finding the joints very
painful, there are many drugs available to relieve pain and reduce
inflammation around the joint. These drugs fall into three categories:
-
Analgesics (pain killers) such as paracetamol
which help relieve pain. These are available over the counter
at chemists.
-
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as ibuprofen and aspirin, which are available over the counter
at chemists. There are also many stronger NSAID'S which can be
prescribed by your doctor. These drugs normally start working
within a few hours, they reduce inflammation and so reduce pain.
However, if taken over a long period they may cause stomach problems.
-
Steroids, usually cortisone can be taken
either in tablet form or via an injection directly into the affected
joint for immediate relief. Steroids can have side effects if
taken long term so they are usually only prescribed to control
severe arthritis.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis
you may be given disease-modyfying drugs to slow down the progress
and reduce inflammation.
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis
it is important that you get regular exercise, speak to your doctor
about which type of exercise is best for you. Swimming is usually
the best form of exercise for people with arthritis. Your doctor
may also suggest you visit a physiotherapist who can give massages,
acupuncture, recommend exercises and teach you relaxation techniques
to reduce stress and muscle tension.
If arthritis is severe and other
treatment is not reducing the pain you may require surgery to replace
the affected joint. Nowadays hip, finger and knee joint replacements are
very common operations.
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