Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Arthritis Explained - Examine Your Symptoms If You Think You Have The Disease

By Carol Bell

In today's information ages you can find masses of information on every subject under the sun. So if you think you are suffering from a disease such as arthritis you can find out all the details about it from various media sources such as newspapers television or on the internet. It is very useful to find out about the disease in depth and the various treatment options available. However it is important that you don't gather so much information that you are confused if you have the disease or believe that you might be suffering from something else instead.

It is often thought that arthritis is a disease, found mainly in elderly people who suffer from painful swollen joints. Arthritis does in fact mean inflammation of the joints but it is often much more than that and can affect other organs such as the eyes and the heart. Various forms of the disease affect people of all ages, including some that affect children. There are some forms of the disease that affect the immune system and others that are caused by old age.

After learning what's arthritis, you must establish if you have it yourself. In this process, discomfort can be your friend. Without feeling discomfort, we might not have caution signs that we have particular diseases or illnesses. In the case of arthritis, if you are experiencing consistent swelling, heat, weight reduction, discomfort, respiring difficulty, or redness, you will have arthritis. Nevertheless , experiencing arthritis' discomfort and pain does not imply that no relief exists.

If you indeed have arthritis, you could have either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis--two of the most common forms of the disease. Osteoarthritis typically is a result of aging, and oftentimes affects ones knees, hips and fingers. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your bodys defence system malfunctions. This affects bones, joints, and even internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis could cause you to feel exhausted or sick, and can create a fever.

After learning what is arthritis, if you suspect that you may have the disease, visit a doctor immediately! Only a doctor is qualified to determine if you have arthritis, and how it should be treated. You should inform the doctor about what type of pain you are experiencing. Through blood tests and x-rays, the doctor can determine which kind of arthritis you are suffering from, if indeed you do.

If the doctor can verify that you indeed have arthritis, he will then discuss the optimum treatment available. The physician may prescribe medication that can treat stiffness, soreness and aches.

If you still be afflicted by discomfort after taking arthritis drugs, you may also rest the distended joint, engage in some light stretching exercises, take a shower with warm water, or place an ice pack on the distended area. If those treatments together with the medicine don't supply adequate relief, contact your health practitioner.

After we learn what is arthritis, we should determine if personally we are suffering from the disease. Then, if necessary, we can take appropriate steps to put ourselves on the road to relief and happiness.

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