Arthritis and its Many Forms-Arthritis and its Many Forms

Arthritis and its Many Forms

Pdf Summary

Arthritis affects 88 million Americans and is particularly prevalent in those over 70. It is characterized by the degeneration of cartilage, which leads to joints not being able to move smoothly, resulting in pain, redness, and inflammation. There are three main forms of arthritis: soft tissue arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).<br /><br />### Soft Tissue Arthritis<br />Soft tissue arthritis includes conditions like tendonitis and bursitis, usually seen in individuals over the age of 40 and often caused by repetitive motion or trauma. It is also linked to fibromyalgia, a condition marked by long-term body-wide pain and tender points, which is more common in women aged 20 to 50.<br /><br />### Osteoarthritis (OA)<br />OA is the most common form, affecting nearly 27 million Americans. It is associated with both active individuals and those with sedentary lifestyles and worsens with age. Treatments include weight management, medications like NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injections. Severe cases might require surgery or newer treatments like viscosupplements or stem cell therapy.<br /><br />### Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)<br />RA is an autoimmune disease that affects 1.3 million Americans and is more common in women. It has three stages involving synovial inflammation, cell division, and enzyme release causing joint damage. Early, aggressive treatment can help manage symptoms and potentially lead to remission. Emerging options include drug combinations and possibly predictive blood tests for early detection.<br /><br />### Juvenile Arthritis (JA)<br />JA affects almost 300,000 children and comes in three main types: pauciarticular (four or fewer joints), polyarticular (five or more joints), and systemic onset, which affects both joints and internal organs. Treatment’s aim is to control inflammation, relieve pain, prevent joint damage, and maintain function.<br /><br />### Other Types<br />Additional forms include gout, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, and systemic lupus erythematosus, each with unique characteristics and treatment approaches.<br /><br />Medical assistants play a crucial role in assisting in the diagnosis by using tools like the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) to monitor patient progress and medication efficacy.

Keywords

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Soft Tissue Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis

Inflammation

Cartilage Degeneration

Fibromyalgia

Autoimmune Disease

Medical Assistants