For a long time, Arthritis has kept people over 65 in pain and unable to move. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the joints and has several different types. Learning about this disease will help you detect it sooner. Osteoarthritis: Affecting over 21 million in the United States, this particular type is also called degenerative arthritis because of the way the inflammation progresses. The condition starts as a low-grade inflammation caused by the cartilage being worn-out. As the cartilage provides less and less cushioning support, the person will have difficulty walking and standing due to pain. Because of this, the patients’ muscle may atrophy due to lack of movement. Treatment involves pain killers and a change in diet. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Considered to be an autoimmune disease, this type of arthritis is very painful and disabling. The inflammation affects several systems of the body and causes the soft tissue around the joints to swell. Although the pain is severe in the morning, it generally subsides as the affected joints are used more and more throughout the day. The disease is treatable with anti-rheumatic drugs, anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics. Septic Arthritis: An inflammation of the joint caused by bacterial infection, septic arthritis is diagnosed by aspiration, culture and Gram stain of the fluid obtained from the joints. Therapy for this disease involves taking antibiotics to kill the bacteria and analgesics to relieve pain. Gout: This particular type of arthritis is also known as metabolic arthritis due to a disorder in the metabolism of uric acid. High levels of uric acid crystals are believed to be deposited on the cartilage and tendons causing an inflammatory reaction. Treatment includes glucocorticoids, anti-inflammatory drugs and indomethacin. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: This disease occurs primarily in children and is manifested by symptoms of limping, swelling of the joints and pain. Drug treatment is preferred for this form of arthritis such as anti-inflammatory and intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Ankylosing spondylitis: A more painful and chronic form of arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Progressive inflammation results to spine fusion. Medical experts have come to believe that the disease is genetic in nature. It primarily affects males between the ages of 15-30. Symptoms are typical of rheumatoid arthritis and can only be diagnosed properly with magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. No known therapy exists and medication is given to relieve pain and other symptoms. Regular physical activities, proper diet and enough rest are highly recommended for people with arthritis. All these types of arthritis will also benefit immensely from occupational and physical therapy. Today, a medical procedure called arthroplasty is considered to be very effective in treating arthritis. The procedure involves replacement of the affected joints with prosthetics. In the United States, homeopathic remedies and aromatherapies are considered to be effective alternative treatments to arthritis. Since diseases like Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome, multiple myeloma and osteoporosis present themselves as arthritis; it would be wise to be thoroughly checked by a licensed medical practitioner to confirm the disease. 

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