What Type of Arthritis Do I Have?
Good Question! There are over one
hundred types of arthritis, but following is a explanation of the four most
common:
Osteo arthritis
The most common type of arthritis, osteo arthritis is a degenerative condition. It usually involves damage to the cartilage that has caused the bones to rub against each other.
As you might imagine, this rubbing effect creates friction, and friction in your joints will invariably cause you pain and limit your movement. This form of arthritis is usually age-related, and it may be triggered by a previous injury.
Osteo arthritis is fairly easy to diagnose, but it can be difficult to treat. There is no outright cure for osteoarthritis, but it can be controlled with natural medication and lifestyle modifications. With successful treatment, most patients can stay physically active and relitively pain-free.
Osteo arthritis symptoms develop slowly. You may experience pain during physical activity or after periods of inactivity when your joints become stiff and sore.
Some patients experience an increase in their symptoms when the seasons change. Their joints may also become stiff, and bony lumps may form in their fingers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is undoubtedly the most debilitating form of the disease. What starts as an ache in the joints eventually culminates in joint deformation. It can severely compromise your quality of life, and routine tasks like walking may eventually become nearly impossible.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn't usually go away although you may go through periods of remission, in which your symptoms may get better or even disappear, and periods of exacerbation (when your symptoms get worse.) RA occurs more often in women than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms occur gradually, usually over a long period.
You may experience a loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. Your joints, especially in the fingers, wrists, and ankles, may become swollen and tender.
You may also develop bony growths called nodules, especially over their elbows.
Gout
Gout, or gouty arthritis, causes sudden severe pain and inflammation, usually beginning with the big toe. It affects more men than women. Fortunately, gout can be completely controlled by a combination of natural remedies and diet modifications.
Gout usually occurs due to an excess amount of urate crystals in a joint or its surrounding tissue. Your kidneys produce urate crystals from uric acid. This is normal, and a healthy person simply excretes these microscopic crystals painlessly into their urine. If your body creates too many crystals, you may begin experiencing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has been diagnosed under several different names, including psychogenic rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, fibrositis, and tension myalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that can cause widespread pain all over the body. It mainly affects the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Fibromyalgia sufferers often have multiple "pressure points" that are sensitive to the touch.
90% of all fibromyalgia patients are women.
This disease is not as severe as some other forms of arthritis, so you can still enjoy a pretty reasonable quality of life. The exact cause of fibromylagia is unknown, but many different factors appear to play a role in its development.
Fibromyalgia may be caused by a disruption in production of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Serotonin and Substance P are the two neurotransmitters currently being studied in connection with the onset of the disease.
We already know that a lack of serotonin can cause depression and migraine headaches. Substance P is a brain chemical believed to cause pain, especially in conjunction with anxiety and depression.
You can increase your serotonin levels by eating carbohydrate-rich foods and increasing your levels of the amino acid
tryptophan. The best natural sources of tryptophan include turkey, bananas, milk, cheese, and bread.
This article is only a guide. Always seek an accurate diagnosis. But don't
despair if you are diagnosed with any form of arthritis as there are many
natural remedies that can help.
From type of arthritis to home |
