Arthritis Resource Center

If you spend much time watching television or even surfing around on the web, you have probably come across a number of ads offering over the counter arthritis solutions. However, often these types of ads can lead an individual to believe that their arthritis isn’t very serious, so they hold off on going to the doctor. This can be a very dangerous decision though, because delaying visiting the doctor can mean delaying taking action to help prevent further damage and possibly disability, which can be caused by arthritis.

This Arthritis Resource Guide will help answer some of your frequently asked questions about arthritis.

Introduction to Arthritis

1. What is Arthritis?
2. Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatism, and Arthritis
3. Common Symptoms of Arthritis
4. Risk Factors of Arthritis
5. Diagnosing and Identifying Arthritis
6. Common Misconceptions About Arthritis
7. Some Quick Facts about Arthritis
8. Arthritis Self Test

Living With Arthritis

There is no cure for arthritis, so a big part of treatment involves making daily life better for the affected. There should be, of course, proper medical treatments to keep the disease from getting worse, but by finding tasks that cause arthritis pain and developing ways of making them easier, many of those with arthritis see a huge reduction in arthritis pain. In addition to finding ways of making regular daily life activities, such as cooking and cleaning, easier, using tools like lift recliners to help improve accessibility can also make life much easier for those with arthritis.

• Dealing with Symptoms of Arthritis
• Problem Solving Steps
• Tips to Help Reduce Arthritis Pain
• Working and Living Efficiently
• Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Arthritis Pain
• Using Arthritis Helper Products

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is not just a single disease, but rather more than a hundred different rheumatological disorders. While many of these different conditions are related to the elderly, seniors are not the only ones that can develop arthritis. Those of any age can actually contract a type of arthritis, even very young children.

The following are some of the more common types of arthritis. Despite being so many different rheumatoid disorders, many of them, like seronegative spondyloarthropathies, are quite rare. Of the many different types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common.

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout and Pseudogout
• Scleroderma
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome(FMS)
• Osteoporosis*

Rheumatoid Arthritis In-Depth Explanation

Rheumatoid Arthritis is, in many ways, quite different from other types of arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by an autoimmune response, where healthy tissue is attacked by the body’s defense system. There is still a great deal that is not known about this disorder, including the exact cause, although some risks have been identified. Among the elderly, this kind of arthritis is a leading factor in disability.

• Causes and Risk Factors
• Treatments: Diet, Exercise, Medications
• Diagosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis In-Depth Explanation

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis that is much more common among the elderly and affects millions of Americans each year. There is not a cure for this type of arthritis, however prompt treatment is essential to prevent it from getting worse.

• Risk Factors and Symptoms
• Gender and the Relationship with Osteoporosis

Treating Arthritis

Arthritis can not currently be cured, although some very interesting research is being preformed right now that deals with helping to rebuild damaged joints. However, the focus of current treatments is typically to prevent the disease from spreading. There are a number of medications and surgeries available to treat arthritis, with senior arthritis often having a major impact on the life of the elderly. Diet and exercise are also important, largely because maintaining a healthy body weight and muscle tone can have a major impact on the pressure that is applied to a joint.

• Monitoring the Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis
• The Importance of Physical Examinations when Treating Arthritis

*Osteoporosis is not technically a type of arthritis, but it is more common among those with rheumatoid disorders. It also often has a direct relationship with the effects of arthritis, so is included in this list.