|
McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Illustration
Arthritis
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness of
the joints. It sometimes also causes redness or swelling.
In severe cases, joints may become deformed.
There are different kinds of arthritis. Two common forms
are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of
osteoarthritis begin to appear by middle age. Most people
over age 60 have some osteoarthritis, although they may not
have symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in early
adulthood or middle age. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis are three times more common in women than in men.
Examples of other forms of arthritis include gout and
arthritis that occurs after an injury or with certain
infections, such as gonorrhea.
How does it occur?
Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the cartilage
cushioning in joints. It can also cause the bones in joints
to become rough. Osteoarthritis occurs most often in
weight-bearing joints, such as the spine, knees, and hips.
It also often affects the fingers.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints. It
is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This means that the
body's defenses against infection attack the body's own
tissue. It causes inflammation (redness and swelling),
stiffness, and deformity, especially in the joints of the
hands, arms, and feet.
What are the symptoms?
Possible symptoms of arthritis include:
- mild to severe pain in joints
- red, swollen joints
- stiffness and limited movement, especially in the
morning
- deformed joints.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will review your medical history
and examine you. He or she may order blood tests and x-rays
to confirm the diagnosis and measure the extent of the
disease.
How is it treated?
The goal of treatment is to keep the joints working properly
by:
- relieving pain and stiffness
- reducing any swelling.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually the first choice for
medicine to control pain. Other medicines, including
anti-inflammatories (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and COX2
inhibitors) are also often used. These medicines control the
chemicals that cause swelling. Your health care provider
will prescribe the medicine that is best for the kind of
arthritis you have.
Controlling your weight will reduce strain on weight-bearing
joints. Physical therapy can help keep your muscles strong
and movement of your joints as normal as possible.
If your hips or knees are severely damaged, your health care
provider may recommend surgically replacing them.
How long will the effects last?
If you have arthritis, you will probably have it for the
rest of your life. How often you have symptoms of arthritis
depends, at least in part, on the type of arthritis you
have. You might be reminded of the arthritis every time you
use the affected joints. Or you may have periods when you
have symptoms and then other times when you do not.
How can I take care of myself?
- Take the medicine your health care provider recommends
for controlling your arthritis.
- Follow your provider's advice for weight control if you
are overweight.
- Do the exercises recommended by your health care
provider or physical therapist.
- Keep your body healthy by eating a healthy, varied,
low-fat diet.
What can I do to prevent arthritis?
No one knows how to prevent arthritis. However, it is a
condition that can usually be managed by taking regular
medicine, protecting the affected joints, and keeping the
joints mobile.
|