VARIETIES OF ARTHRITIS

OSTEO-ARTHRITIS-- Osteo arthritis is perhaps the most common type of Arthritis which affects people past middle age. Osteo Arthritis usually begins as  result of the ageing process that is, the wear & tear of the joints during the later part of one's life. It is characterised by degenerating process in the joints, for instance, softening & erosion of the cartilages & enlargement of the affected joints. Even though all the joints of the body are vulnerable to Osteo-Arthritis, it is generally weight bearing joints such as knee joints & elbow joints that are commonly affected. In old persons hip joints & shoulder joints are often affected by this disease. the joints become stiff & painful. Such conditions are referred to as frozen hip & frozen shoulder.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS--The next most common form of Arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious form of rheumatic afflictions which can cause severe destruction of the joint tissue resulting in extensive deformities in which the patient becomes absolutely crippled. It usually strikes at a fairly young age though it can affect persons of any age. Women more than men are generally afflicted with this form of Arthritis. This type of Arthritis begins with an inflammation of the synovial membrane which eventually leads to deposits in the joints, bone degeneration, deformity & subsequent invalidity unless proper treatment is taken at the appropriate time.

GOUT--Gout usually manifests itself by an inflammation of the joints of the large toe. This is a local symptom of a general metabolic disorder which is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the tissues. Gout generally affects people after middle age, but it may often occur in men & women at a very early age. In Osteo-Arthritis & Rheumatoid-Arthritis, generally large weight bearing joints are afflicted, but in Gout the smaller joints of the toes & fingers are commonly afflicted.

LUMBAGO--Lumbago is a rheumatic condition affecting the muscles of the lower part of the back, also called the lumber region. Unless cured by proper therapies, attacks of Lumbago get more frequent & more painful  like all rheumatic complaints, specially as the patient becomes older. Lumbago generally occurs in patients whose profession is largely sedentary requiring them to sit for long periods of time & also in those who are habitually constipated.