Your medical information about arthritis.

Your medical information about arthritis.

Arthritis is a group of diseases and conditions that affect and destroy the joints of the body. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms include redness, warmth, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. Other organs are also affected in some types of arthritis. The onset of the disease is gradual or sudden.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common forms. Osteoarthritis usually occurs with age and affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that often affects the hands and feet. Other types of arthritis include gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, and septic arthritis; All are types of rheumatic diseases.

Treatment may include resting the joint and applying alternating heat and cold. Weight loss and exercise may also benefit. Recommended medications depend on the type of arthritis, and include pain relievers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen). Joint replacement becomes useful in certain cases.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 3.8% of individuals, while rheumatoid arthritis affects about 0.24%. Gout affects about 1-2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. About 15% of people in Australia develop arthritis, while more than 20% of people in the United States have some form of arthritis. The disease generally becomes more common with age. Arthritis is a common cause of absenteeism and can lead to a poor quality of life. The term is derived from arthr- (meaning "joint") and -itis (meaning "inflammation")