SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT ARTHRITIS
Arthritis and rheumatism are commonly used terms that refer to chronic conditions involving joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that result in limited movement. The term arthritis is derived from two Greek words: arthron, which means joints, and itis, which means inflammation.As many as one in seven Americans suffers from some form of arthritis. In fact, arthritis is the number-one cause of disability in America. In its most advanced stages, arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of bed. Arthritis can strike at any age (though it’s far more common in people over 50), and it restricts activity more often than cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes. For some reason, women are affected more often than men. There are four common forms of arthritis:- osteoarthritis- rheumatoid arthritis- gout- juvenile rheumatoid arthritisOther disorders of the joints and connective tissue include:- lupus- Sjogren’s syndrome- Reiter s syndrome- ankylosing spondylitisFor two of these types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, there are alternative treatments available that have been scientifically researched and found to have some benefit. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, has been treated with glucosamine, chondroitin, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), and several types of herbal remedies. There is reasonably good evidence that some of these may offer considerable help for sufferers of this type of arthritis.*2/306/5*
