Arthritis - Care Guide

Arthritis is a general term which is commonly associated with "joint pain" and "joint arthritis" and a number of painful conditions affecting the joints and bones. The term "arthritis" literally translates to "joint inflammation."

There are approximately 100 different forms of joint arthritis, and this condition affects millions of people throughout the world. Symptoms of joint arthritis can include joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, and limited movement of joints. When a joint is inflamed, it may be swollen, tender, red, or warm to the touch.

In a healthy joint, the ends of the bones are covered by cartilage, a spongy material that allows almost frictionless motion between bones. The joints are enclosed in a capsule and lined with tissue called the synovium. This lining releases a slippery, lubricating fluid that helps the joint move smoothly and easily.

With joint arthritis pain, the cartilage may be damaged or worn away by degenerative processes or by inflammation, increasing joint pain during movement. If left undiagnosed and untreated, joint arthritis may progress to cause irreversible damage to the joints. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis affects all age groups. It's more common in those over forty-five, and in the case of osteoarthritis, three-fourths of the cases occur in women.

The foundational causes of joint arthritis pain are dependent upon the form of arthritis. For instance, in some cases arthritis pain is the result of injury. A tweaked knee, a dislocated elbow, a damaged shoulder could all potentially result in joint pain and an arthritic condition in the following years.

In forms of arthritis such as gout and pseudo-gout, which are caused by deposits of crystals called calcium pyrophosphate, the cause is considered to be a metabolic abnormality. There are also hereditary factors and infections that can cause arthritis. And finally, there are some forms of arthritis in which we simply haven't been able to identify a cause.

Traditional joint arthritis treatment has been through the use of drugs that are designed to minimize the symptoms. For example, joint inflammation and swelling can often be reduced, and joint pain can often be controlled. Of course, these are not cures. There really isn't a cure for the arthritic condition at this time.

Joint Arthritis

Joint pain can be intense and unrelenting. While pain is generally considered the worse symptom of arthritis, some forms of arthritis are more painful than others. Joint pain can be the result of joint fatigue and/or inflammation of the membrane around the joints, tendons and ligaments. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are the three most common forms. So let's take a quick look at each of these:

While cartilage itself does not cause joint pain – it has no nerve endings to transmit pain signals -- the irritation of other tissues in and around the affected joints does. This is particularly true in the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Unfortunately, joint pain and stiffness similar to the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be caused by many other conditions, such as injury or infection. Only a medical professional can identify the true source of joint pain. So what is joint arthritis pain all about?  Why does it happen?  The purpose of pain is to let you know that something's wrong in your body.  It does this by releasing a chemical signal to the brain from the area that's injured or not functioning correctly.

The brain receives this signal as a pain response. The classic example is when you place your hand on a hot stove. The nerves in your hand send a message to the brain alerting it that damage is being done, and your brain responds by encouraging you to pull your hand away from the hot surface.

It's a safety mechanism, designed to protect your body. Arthritic pain is different in the sense that it's long lasting and you can't simply pull your hand away to bring about relief. Those who are afflicted with arthritis may experience little pain for a period of time, and then experience sudden flare ups without any apparent reason.

The secret to living with joint arthritis is learning to manage the arthritis pain. This can be done in a number of ways. There are medications for arthritis. There are alternative approaches to managing your arthritis pain, as well. And then there are the little day-to-day factors that help relieve pain. For instance, arthritis pain can be aggravated by fatigue, stress, and/or too much physical exertion, depending on the form of arthritis and the level of fatigue. By being in tune with your body and aware of your limits, you can avoid additional pain simply by reducing these factors in your life.