Arthritis
Arthritis is a term often used to mean any disorderthat affects joints.
Symptoms generallyinclude joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth,swelling and decreased range of motion of the affected joints.
Onset can be gradualor sudden.
There are over 100types of arthritis. The most common forms are osteoarthritis (degenerativejoint disease) and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually occurs with ageand affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autammunedisorder that often affects the hands and feet.
Other types includegout, lupus, fibromyalgia and septic arthritis. They are all types of rheumatic disease.
CAUSES
An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbatethis natural breakdown of cartilage tissue.
Your risk developing may be higher if you havefamily history of the disease, normal wear and tear causes O.A.
Another common form of arthritis, R.A. is anautoimmune disorder it occurs when your body’s immune system attacks thetissues of the body. RA is a disease of the synovium that will invade anddestroy a joint. It can eventually lead to the destruction of both bone andcartilage inside the joint.
PATHOPYSIOLOGY
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemicinflammatory disease mainly characterized by synovitis and joint destruction.Etiology of R.A. is unknown.