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Arthritis: It's Not Always The Aged That Suffer
By M. A. Fulmar

Arthritis is not always suffered by the aged. Yes it is a general assumption that it is the elderly that suffer and while this is strictly incorrect it is true that arthritis is the main cause of disability in those people who are over the age of 65. However there are a great many people far below this age that suffer from Arthritis in one of it's many forms (Arthritis is the name given to a group of conditions).

Arthritis is associated with the joints and it is reasonable to assume as we get older our joints begin to suffer damage. However many children suffer from joint pain that is so bad that it needs treatment. It is often found that they are suffering from the form of the disease known as Juvenile Arthritis (a general term given to all types suffered by children). Below we will look at some of the most common forms of the disease.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a degenerative form of joint disease which occurs when the cartilage deteriorates or is worn away. Cartilage is the protective material that covers the very ends of the bones and as the bones begin to rub against each other pain and loss of movement is experienced. As the average age of society increases the occurrence of Osteoarthritis also increases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is experienced mainly by women and is possibly the most painful. It is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the joint lining causing inflammation. This chronic form of the disease appears to be the most disabling of all as the joint deteriorates and becomes less mobile. The disease is very aggressive, medical research shows that in most cases (60%), even with treatment, the patient is likely to be so debilitated that they are unable to work after 10 years of onset.

Gout/Metabolic Arthritis

In contrast, to rheumatoid arthritis, gout is most commonly found in men. It effects the smaller joints of the body and most often appears in the big toe leading to serious loss of mobility. The current mode of thinking is that the sufferer was born with a genetic susceptibility to the illness. It is a defect in the body chemistry that causes a malfunction in how the body deals with uric acid. When there is too much uric acid in the body it is usually deposited, as crystals, in kidney stones. However in people suffering from gout the crystals are, instead, deposited on the cartilage of joints causing inflammation and severe pain.

Juvenile Arthritis

As mentioned above this is the general term given to the disease when it is suffered by children. The form called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, which was previously referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common. Currently there is a massive amount of research being conducted in this area because little is really know of it. It is believed that children are born with a genetic predisposition to the disease which can be brought on by environmental factors.

Treatment

There are various forms of treatment available for sufferers of arthritis. The most easily controlled form is gout which can be eradicated with treatment and change of diet. Treatment for arthritis can include physical and occupational therapy to aide mobility. It is generally accepted that as many as 90% of cases can be managed, or often cured, by modern treatments. In really stubborn cases it is possible that the surface of the joint can be replaced or, in really severe cases, the whole joint can be replaced (arthroplasty).

With the outlook not as bleak as you may have first assumed it is highly probable that you will benefit greatly from treatment. The articles below are to help you understand the disease and the options available. However, after you read the articles, you should seek professional medical advice as all cases are different.

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