ARTHRITIS
The term arthritis is formed from two words: ‘arth’ meaning ‘joint’ and ‘itis’ meaning ‘swollen or inflamed’. Thus arthritis is a disease of one or more joints in which the concerned joints become red, warm, swollen and painful. There are mainly two forms of arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, destructive and deforming variety of arthritis associated with systemic disturbances and damage to numerous joints. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs throughout the world in all climates and among all ethnic groups. Females are affected three times more commonly than males. In the majority of patients, the onset of the disease is insidious with pain, stiffness and symmetrical swelling of a number of small joints. Initially pain is experienced only on moving the affected joints. General ill-being, fever, loss of appetite, muscle pain or weakness, osteoporosis and nerve damage are other manifestations of this disease.
Since the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, modern medical science has no satisfactory treatment for the disease. Steps are directed towards relieving symptoms and striving to conserve or restore the function of the affected joints. Anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, yoga, magnet therapy and acupressure have acted as effective remedies.
Osteoarthritis is an extremely common disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage. It primarily occurs because of ageing. The symptoms are gradual in onset. Pain is first intermittent and mild. Most patients of osteoarthritis are past middle age. The best treatment for this ailment is rest, local heat, pain-relieving medication and muscle strengthening exercises.