Ways to Tell That You May Have Arthritis

How to Understand Arthritis and Live Better as a senior Citizen?

What is arthritis?

It is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. It is a chronic disease affecting millions of people around the world therefore you are not alone my friend if you've been diagnosed with arthritis.

When Joint Cartilage Breaks Down:

Arthritis is caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage. Cartilage is the part of a joint that cushions the end of the bones and allows smooth and easy movement. As cartilage wears out (breakdown), your joint bones begin to rub against each other causing you a lot of pain and stiffness. It results in damaged ligaments, menisci, and muscles.

Types of Arthritis:

There are two types of this disorder. These are primary and secondary. The primary type is associated with the aging process. The older you become the more 'wear and tire' of life affects your ligaments, menisci, and muscles. This may result in you getting this disorder.

The secondary type can easily occur at any age as a result of specific causes such as obesity and injury.

Different Forms of Arthritis:

There are many forms of this disease. The most common and well-known is 'osteoarthritis' (otherwise called the 'degenerative joint disease'). Osteoarthritis is caused by joint trauma, infection of the joints, or old age. Rheumatoid, psoriatic, and autoimmune disease are some of the other forms.

Joints most affected by Arthritis:

Knees, hips, hands are the places where this disease likes to attack. Osteoarthritis is the form that occurs in these joints in most cases. The shoulder joints are rarely affected by this disease although it can happen. Unless caused by a severe injury other joints other than those mentioned above are not affected by this disorder.

What are the Causes of Arthritis?

Here are some of the factors that lead to this disease; age, obesity, injury, genetics or heredity, and muscle weakness.

What are the Symptoms?

The common signs and symptoms are; pain, swelling, joint stiffness and a constant ache around the affected joints.

What are the Appropriate Remedies?

With advice and help from your doctor you may want to try exercise, losing weight, and therapy. Exercise may involve dancing, swimming, strength building, aerobics and bike riding.

You can live better with it because there is Arthritis help for seniors in the form of treatment, pain management and physical activity.