Arthritis is a health problem of all the Countries, rich or poor, affecting the daily life of people. Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Arthritis is an umbrella term that covers more than 100 medical conditions which affect the human body adversely. There are various types of Arthritis but Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are most common
Osteoarthritis (AO) mainly affects the weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knee or spine. Hands may become affected as well. Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Patient feels pain, stiffness tenderness, loss of flexibility, bone spurs, grating sensation and swelling.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in joints gradually deteriorates, resulting in pain, swelling, and deformity of the joint. Cartilage is a firm, rubbery, flexible connective tissue covering the ends of bones in normal joints, whose primary function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a shock absorber. When this protective shield starts breaking down, the bones in a joint begin to rub against each other during movement, causing pain. Bony growths may form due to thickening of the bone ends and fluid filled cysts can develop in the bone, both of which hinder joint movement. Although cartilage may undergo some repair when damaged, the body does not grow new cartilage after injury. Its healing is a slow process.
Osteoarthritis can be linked to old age, primarily. The other causes may include injury, overuse, infection or birth defect of joint. Obesity is a known risk factor. Hereditary factors & hormone disorders, can play a crucial role. After the age 45 the disease affects both men and women Osteoarthritis are more common in women after the age of 55 years.
The 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study report says an estimated 10% to 15% of all adults aged over 60 have some degree of Osteoarthritis with prevalence higher among women than men. The prevalence of Osteoarthritis is increasing due to population ageing and an increase in related factors such as obesity. According to the United Nations, by 2050 people aged over 60 will account for more than 20% of the world’s population. Of that 20%, a conservative estimate of 15% will have symptomatic Osteoarthritis and one-third of these people will be severely disabled. This means that by 2050, 130 million people will suffer from Osteoarthritis worldwide, of whom 40 million will be severely disabled by the disease. In Pakistan, 3.6% in rural and 3.1–4.6% in urban parts of Northern Pakistan were found diagnosed by knee OA.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis. Mild to moderate symptoms are usually well managed with Medications, Exercise, Physical therapy, Healthy eating and supportive devices. Surgery may be helpful to relieve pain and restore function when other medical treatments are ineffective.
Rheumatoid Arthritis. (RA) Rheumatic diseases are often grouped under the term “Arthritis”
Rheumatoid arthritis is a special type of arthritis mainly involving the small joints in hands and feet. It usually involves the same joints on both sides of the body, means it can affect the whole body. It is a progressive and chronic disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune inflammatory disease. It occurs when a person’s immune system mistakes the body’s healthy tissues for foreign invaders. As the immune system responds, inflammation occurs in the target tissue or organ. It can affect the joints and the whole body
Signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, and stiffness in more than one joint. The patient suffering from the disease feels stiffness of those joints, in the morning or sitting for a long time. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the entire body of a patient and includes fatigue and fever, pain in other body structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Rheumatic disease can also affect other areas of the body such as internal organs. The patient may find it difficult to perform daily activities like buttoning shirt, tying shoes, opening jars, etc.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a worldwide chronic inflammatory disease; it causes progressive joint damage and even leads to disability. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 17.6 million people worldwide, with more than 1.6 million people in the Unites States and 6.2 million people in Europe. The prevalence in Pakistan is estimated 0.5 % to o.55 %
Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis will aim to relieve pain reduce inflammation of the joints, minimize any joint damage, or deformity. Options include: Medications, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Occupational therapist can help a person learn new and effective ways of carrying out daily tasks. For example, a person with painful fingers might learn to use a specially devised gripping and grabbing tool. Physical therapy, counselling, and in some cases, a doctor may advise surgery to repair damaged joints, correct deformities, reduce pain, and so on.
A number of strategies can help a person manage Rheumatoid arthritis for example managing weight, as this can prevent additional stress on the joints, including balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fresh fruits, and quitting smoking.
Today patients with Rheumatoid arthritis generally experience better health related quality of life than those diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago. Anyone who experiences pain and swelling in two or more joints should see a doctor, as early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of long-term problems.