What is Arthritis

With the passage of time, many people start to feel pain and stiffness in the body. Sometimes they hurt the hands, knees, shoulders and are hard to move because they can become swollen. These people may have arthritis. Arthritis can be caused by inflammation of the tissue lining the joints. Some signs of inflammation include redness, warmth, pain and swelling. These problems indicate that something is wrong.

Joints are where two bones meet, such as the elbow or knee. With the passage of time, in some types of arthritis, but not all joints can be seriously affected.

There are different types of arthritis. Arthritis can also occur with other diseases, when this happens, other organs such as eyes, chest, or skin may also be affected. Some people may worry that arthritis means they will not be able to work or to care for their children and family. Others think that arthritis is part of life and as such have to accept.

The truth is that arthritis can be painful. But there are some things you can do to feel better. This brochure will give you information about arthritis and some ideas on what to do to continue to enjoy many of the things you enjoy doing.

The arthritis is inflammation or wear of a joint, this being of two types:

* Osteoarthritis (OA): A deformation produced by wear of the cartilage between the bones, so that these cartilages disappears causing bones to rub against each other, especially in the extremities.
* Rheumatoid arthritis: That unlike the previous extends to the whole body inflamed cartilage and synovial membrane around the joints of the bones, causing the output of the synovial fluid (oily liquid used to lubricate and protect against friction and wear bones).

Symptoms
* Limitation of movement.
* Swelling of the joints.
* Joint pain
* Local heat.
* Deformation of the affected body part (hands, feet, etc..) Increase over time preventing the person to move freely.

There are many diseases and syndromes that can cause arthritis, including:
1. Microcrystal arthritis: the suffering the affects of gout.
2. Neuropathy arthritis: produced by lesions of the nervous system.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis and its variants: a multifactor origin.
4. Infectious Arthritis (Septic Arthritis): Source bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic.
5. Systemic diseases: such as home skin (psoriatic arthritis), digestive (arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease), neuropathy...
6. Reactive arthritis: in response to multiple factors.

You can feel better!
Arthritis can damage your joints, organs and skin. There are some things you can do to prevent the damage from getting worse. They can also make you feel better.

* Try to control your weight. Excess weight can cause pain in your knees and hips.
* Exercise. The movement of all joints will help. Your doctor or nurse can teach you how to move more easily. Going for a walk every day will help.
* Take medications as prescribed, as these can help reduce pain and stiffness.
* Take a warm shower in the morning.
* See your doctor regularly.
* Seek information that can help.