Arthritis means the inflammation of one or more joints, often
associated with debilitating pain qnd limited function of joints
and is diagnosed as one of the rheumatic diseases with the potential to affect internal organs. Arthritis affects all ages both male and female. The World Health Organisation divides arthritis into 4 main groups namely
Osteoarthritis, Back Pain, Soft tissue rheumatism and Inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis affects 13% of every population in the Western World. There are over 100 types of arthritis. The objective of early diagnosis is to prevent irreversible damage and disability. Awareness of arthritis aids and information from local health centres, medical personnel and ancillary medical personnel could help with early detection and management of immobility. Osteoarthritis of the hip illustrates the typical diagnosis, treatment and management of this condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis represents a disease of unknown aetiology with common or overlapping clinical and histopathological features. The common histological features are widespread inflammatory damage to connective tissues and blood vessels, often associated with deposition of fibrinoid material. Information on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is available on the internet. The majority of patients do not have access to the internet and prefer their information in hard copy. Health Centres must cater for these patients:ARTHRITIC - impotent, crippled, diseased, deformed, sick person (Roget’s Thesaurus).Clearly arthritis, from this authoritative definition, is associated with disability in common everyday language. Arthritis means literally the inflammation of one or more joints often associated with joint pain. There are many forms of arthritis, ranging from those related to wear and tear, osteoarthritis, and those due to inflammation from an over-active immune system, rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of arthritis depends on the form of the disease. Injury may lead to osteoarthritis; abnormal metabolism leads to gout and heredity; infections and for undiagnosed reasons may lead to rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is diagnosed as one of the rheumatic diseases. These conditions are similar due to their tendency to affect the joints; muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and many have the potential to affect internal organs.Physiotherapists provide mobility aids which have been adapted due to the changes caused by arthritis. The hand grip, the Fischer handle compensates for painless weightbearing through the hand. Physiotherapists provide sticks, tripods, tip-up seats, air cushions, walking aids and specific exercise programmes to counteract the muscle imbalance caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Omega 3 from fish oil and Omega 6 from plant seed oils are the 2 groups of essential fatty acids. Ingesting oily fish three times a week helps with arthritis and also helps protect against cardiovasular problems. Omega 3 essential oils are termed eicosaptenaenoic acid and docasahexaenoic acid. Chemists and health food shops sell cod liver oil capsules containing these essential oils, which also contain vitamin D thus helping the body absorb Calcuim, necessary for building and retaining bone. Gammalinoleic acid is the main Omega 6 essential oil, the best known source is evening primrose oil. Pain, debillitating constant pain will always be a feature of arthritis. Current research is exposing the underlying reasons for this constant. Medical research is reaching into the subcellular level to provide a solution.