A Little Insight Into Arthritis

Aging is an inevitable natural process which comes with its own problems. You will agree with me that we are faced with age related health problems such as Arthritis as we age through the years.
Arthritis is a disorder that affects the joints. The two main types are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis which causes some of the health issues we are faced with as we grow. Some degenerative changes may occur as early as the age 20, but by the age 80 it is most certain that we develop some degeneration in the hips, knees, elbows and shoulders.
Arthritis pains can be unbearable with a consequent limitations to joint function which often leads to reduced quality of life.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis which occurs commonly in synovial joints and happens to be the cause of most pains in the joints. The ends of bones within a joint are surrounded by a substance known as articular hyaline cartilage. This substance acts as cushioning the joint, helping in gliding and absorbing shock.
The hyaline articular cartilage can degenerate with time and eventually wears out. The bony end within the joint then touch each other, hence bone robbing against bone with every movement, causing pain which can be made worse with exercise. Osteoarthritis is also associated with stiffness and swelling and sometimes pain can even occur when resting or at night. The most commonly affected parts are the hips, knees and hands.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

This is the most common disorder to affect synovial joints and this condition can develop at any time in your adult life because of autoimmune failure, that is, when the body’s own immune system start attacking joints and muscles by mistake
Synovial membrane surround movable joints
Chemicals called cytokines is released by the white blood cells of the immune system when they move into the joints. These chemicals attack the cells of the synovial membrane, causing the synovial cells to release other destructive substances. Cytokines also cause the synovial membrane to develop new blood vessels and form a thickened area called pannus over time. The pannus is able to grow, invades and destroys the areas of cartilage and bone inside the joints. Inflammation sets in and causes fluid build-up in the joint making the joint swell. Without treatment, the joint space eventually narrows and can fuse together. This is referred to as Ankylosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs at joints of the same sides of the body and commonly affects the hands, wrists, knees and feet. It can potentially affect other organs of the body such as skin, eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, nervous system and the digestive system.

Thanks for reading, I will soon post a piece on how to manage your pains and symptoms if you may have arthritis, using natural methods. Stay with me.