Musculoskeletal system and the joints are affected by arthritis which results in inflammation, pain, stiffness and damage the joint cartilage as well. Cartilage is considered to be a living tissue that covers both ends of the bones, which protect them as they begin to rub together. The cells or Chondrocytes which cartilage is made up of are similar to the ones in the other glands in the human body. New cartilage cells or chondrocytes are replaced with new ones as they die.
When there is long time inflammation, cartilage cells are destroyed and die faster than the body’s ability to replace them. This happens when the body is not healthy and suffers from malnutrition, injury can also be another cause. Damage from this condition can also cause joint weakness, instability and deformities and interrupt daily activities. Arthritis is normally treated with physical therapy, medication and includes changes to the person’s way of life or lifestyle. Health care providers use joint replacement surgery as their last resort, once they have tried all of the less intrusive interventions to try and relieve the discomfort.
Arthritis is divided into to major groups that may affect the ‘localized’ or ‘generalized’ parts of the body or even depending on the joints that get damaged; it is further divided into sub-groups. Localized conditions are bursitis and tendonitis and they affect the soft tissues surrounding the bones and joints. It could just be that the localized conditions could manifest themselves in just one of two joints being affected. In a general sense, the disease affects the soft tissue and muscle where there isn’t any evidence of inflammation or swelling. In this condition there is no evident kind of damage caused to the joints and is known as Fibromyalgia; this kind of arthritis is widespread among people.
In the second sub-group is a condition in which the person suffering from arthritis may have swelling on the whole body. Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ). Other generalized conditions are polymyositis (muscles); systemic lupus erythematosus (skin, kidneys, or other organs); and vasculitis (any organ).
46 million adults and 300,000 children are approximately affected in the United States with one or more of the 100 different medical arthritic conditions. The condition is most common as osteoarthritis in adults age 60 and above but it can start as early as infancy. As the population within America ages, the number of individuals that are suffering from arthritis is constantly increasing.
124 billion dollars a year are spent annually on medical care and other expenses connected to arthritis and related infirmities, making it a foremost cause for disability. By taking the time to follow a couple of simple steps, most individuals can help to prevent osteoarthritis: The ability to maintain the appropriate weight and consume fresh vegetables and fruits are a really good source of vitamins D and C. By taking the time to make sure that you are consuming enough calcium, participate in regular exercise and avoiding injuries that are brought about due to sports activities, you can also help with prevention of this condition.
