Show Arthritis I have arthritis can anything be done for me OF Vernal Many people with even the most serious forms of arthritis remain active today because they did and still do listen to their doctors Follow their example Make sure you understand understand understand un un- un- un your doctors doctor's advice Then do your best to carry to-carry carry it out That way you will be doing all you can to get the best possible results from treatment and to h help lp prevent the problems that often arise when arthritis is not properly treated Throughout history arthritis and arthritic disorders have been defined and described in inso inso inso so many different ways that it is hard to get a clear picture of what arthritis is Much of this confusion stems from the fact that arthritis is not a single disease the term arthritis can describe as many as different diseases Quite simply arthritis means inflammation of a joint That inflammation can be associated with many diseases In some arthritic diseases joint inflammation inflammation inflammation in in- is the only obvious sign In others it is but one of many symptoms that are likely to be seen during the course of the disease This variety of diseases gives rise to an important point dont don't compare the symptoms or treatment of your arthritis with those of a friend or relative Each of you may have totally different diseases Even if you have the same ame disease your treatment must be designed specifically for you What works for somebody else is not necessarily best for you Your doctor will select your treatment treatment treatment treat treat- ment on the basis of what he knows about your condition and what he knows about you So dont don't be misled by the advice of oft ofa i t a well-meaning well friend whose neighbors neighbor's arthritis was hluch diff t from n yours rn a hi t. t Joint Inflammation To say that arthritis is inflammation inflammation inflammation in in- of one or more joints of the body may not be bevery bevery bevery very helpful unless you are familiar with the terms A joint is any place where two or more bones come together The most familiar to you are those that are used consciously the shoulders elbows wrists knuckles hips knees ankles toe joints Other joints such as those of the spinal column are less familiar to you but can become involved in some kinds of arthritis Inflammation can stem from many causes infection injury injury injury in in- jury some kinds of allergy and from disease processes that are not fully understood In its purest form inflammation consists of four symptoms pain swelling heat and red red- ness However not all of these symptoms are present in all people with arthritic diseases at any anyone one time Some have only a constant ache perhaps with enough swelling to cause some stiffness Others have severe attacks with all four symptoms suddenly appearing at the same time How severe the inflammation becomes and what joint or joints are involved depend mostly on the kind of arthritic disease that is causing it is believed to account for more than half of all cases of arthritis It is thought to result mostly from wear and tear After years of use the cartilage that lines the bones of the joint and cushions them against impact from other bones of the joint begins to wear away Since appears to result largely from extensive use use se of the joint it is especially common in the elderly whose joints have had many years of use and in the overweight whose joints bear an extra burden As might be expected often hits the large weight-bearing weight joints joints- the hips and knees is somewhat more common in women than in men but is the leading form of arthritis In tn both sexes It usually involves only a few joints With time it can lead to some loss of motion of the joint but usually docs does not cause crippling Since it is more common in the elderly can be expected to become more and more widespread as life expectancy continues to rise Rheumatoid Arthritis Although much less prevalent than rheumatoid arthritis is still a common disease found more often in women than in men Its cause is not fully understood and remains a topic of continuing study The first signs of rheumatoid arthritis usually are seen in young adulthood Typically it starts with some pain swelling and tenderness in one or more joints of the fingers wrists or feet In some people the disease starts with a sharp attack of inflammation but they are the exceptions Usually the symptoms begin mildly and increase gradually Many people with rheumatoid arthritis arthritis arthritis ar ar- ar- ar have a sense of joint weakness stiffness in the morning and a general feeling of being tired Some have other symptoms including fever and loss of appetite With time lime the condition often spreads perhaps involving the knees knes and hips r Rheumatoid arthritis arthritis' can lead to joint deformity and crippling but these effects can almost always be prevented or at lea least t gr greatly atly reduced if treatment begins early and is followed faithfully Ank losing a less common disorder than Irli arthritis m tb d arthritis is believed believe to be inore more prevalent in ith nirl W M m lly begins before age 35 and may be seen during childhood in the teen years or early twenties is an arthritic disorder of the spine but it may affect other joints close to the spine The cause of the disease is not known The outlook for patients who have it itis itis itis is reasonably good The disease usually becomes arrested after several years at al which time lime there is little pain although stiffness persists Most patients are able to lead productive lives Gout Gout is slightly more common than but not as common as rheumatoid arthritis Most patients with gout are men The disease usually appears between ages 30 and 50 Gout is usually a hereditary disorder in which uric acid builds up in the blood stream and forms crystals in the joints and other body tissues Usually gout is accompanied by sudden and very painful attacks of arthritis typically in inthe inthe the big toe but often in other joints as well An attack can appear without apparent cause or can be brought on by as minor an injury as a stubbed toe by emotional or physical strain or by fatigue Gout can be brought on or made worse by drinking alcohol or be eating high high purine purine foods which include pork duck goose organ meats such as kidney sweetbreads and liver H some game birds and certain or by taking some drugs With treatment gout usually can be well controlled attacks can be eliminated or their severity relieved and other complications usually can be prevented Systemic Lupus The incidence of this uncommon uncommon uncommon un un- common disease appears to lo be beon beon beon on the increase It H is more common in women than men and usually begins in young adulthood However it sometimes strikes young children or appears for the first time in old age Its cause is not fully understood The condition involves inflammation inflammation in inflammation in- in of the joints the kidneys and the skin The skin rash is often in the shape of a butterfly centered on the tile bridge of the nose pose and extending across the cheeks checks In most cases the disease includes joint symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis Treatment Arthritis is treated in many different ways and a special program of treatment must be he designed for each patient Factors that help your doctor decide what kind of treatment is hest liesl for you include the specific type of arthritic disorder how severe it is your age your occupation occupation occupation oc oc- oc- oc and your overall condition and general health Or Ur Evans vans will answer questions of general interest through this column If you have any questions or comments comments com ments please send them to the Vernal Express |