Arthritis Basics You Need to Know

We ask a lot of our joints. We bend and twist all day and think nothing of it -- until arthritis sets in. More than 50 million Americans were living with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms and with a rapidly aging population, that number is expected to jump to nearly 70 million by 2030. "Arthritis" literally means joint inflammation, and can refer to any condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints or surrounding tissues. A case of arthritis may be mild or severe, short-lived or permanent. But no matter what form of the disease a person has, today's treatments can make life better.

What causes arthritis?

Anything that can damage a joint can cause arthritis. The list of common culprits includes injuries, infections, overactive immune systems, and simple wear and tear. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers have identified more than 100 different forms of arthritis. Distinguishing one variety from another can sometimes be tricky, but it's a crucial step toward getting the right treatment.

The most familiar form of the disease is osteoarthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints starts to wear out, a process that usually occurs over a long period of time. Osteoarthritis comes on gradually, and usually affects either a single joint or just a few joints. Most people with the condition experience pain and stiffness in a hip, knee, or hand.

Rheumatoid arthritis is another common type, and it arises when the immune system attacks joint tissue. Unlike osteoarthritis, it can strike people of any age, from infants to seniors. (In children 16 and under, the condition is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis or juvenile arthritis.) And unlike osteoarthritis, it often affects many joints at once.

Other types of arthritis and tissue and muscle conditions include the following:

Gout. Doctors report that many of their patients with gout are amazed to learn it's a form of arthritis. Gout can cause excruciating pain if untreated, and is caused by a buildup of needle-like uric acid crystals in joints. Gout most often affects the big toe.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (more commonly called lupus). Like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus is caused by an overly aggressive immune system. A chronic inflammatory disease, lupus affects different parts of the body, especially the joints, skin, blood, and kidneys. Symptoms range from joint pain and a butterfly-shaped facial rash to anemia, hair loss, kidney problems, and mouth or nose ulcers. The disease tends to come and go, or, as a doctor would say, it follows a pattern of flare-ups and remission. Lupus is nine times more common in women than in men.
Ankylosing spondylitis. This form of arthritis usually affects the joints in the spine. It can cause intense pain and make the back, hips, and shoulders very stiff. In severe cases, the spine fuses and the sufferer takes on a stooped posture. Ankylosing spondylitis is known as a "reactive" form of arthritis. According to the latest theories, the disease is a reaction to an infection. Ninety percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis carry a certain gene that makes them vulnerable to the condition.
Bursitis. Major joints are protected by small saclike cushions, or bursae. When bursae are strained or overused, they can become sore and swollen, a condition called bursitis. Shoulders and hips are commonly affected by bursitis.
Tendinitis. Like bursitis, tendinitis results from overusing a joint. In this case, the tendons that connect muscle to bone become irritated and inflamed. People who work on computers are often afflicted with tendinitis; keying in data for many hours a day over a long period of time, for example, can cause tendinitis in the arms.
Fibromyalgia. An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from this common rheumatic syndrome, which causes pain in the body's fibrous ligaments and muscles. Although it doesn't inflame or damage the joints, people with this condition typically experience pain, stiffness, and achiness over their entire body. Close to 90 percent of people who visit a doctor with symptoms of fibromyalgia are women.
Septic arthritis. This condition occurs when a bacterial infection spreads to a joint, resulting in pain and swelling.

What are the signs of arthritis?

The symptoms of arthritis vary, but some will be familiar to just about every arthritis sufferer. First of all, inflamed joints tend to hurt, especially when they're in motion.

Also, arthritic joints are usually stiff. The stiffness is most noticeable in the morning or after any long period of rest. Simple tasks like opening a jar or walking up the stairs may be very difficult. Depending on the type of arthritis, the affected joints may also be swollen, red, and warm to the touch.

How is arthritis treated?

Not surprisingly, different forms of arthritis call for different treatments. Easing the pain is almost always the first priority. For patients with osteoarthritis, large doses of over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen and ibuprofen are often first-line therapies. Collectively, these drugs are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.

NSAIDs are not without risk, however, so it is important to check the label and talk with your doctor about possible side effects, including the potential for cardiovascular problems and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as possible serious skin reactions. It is also good to stick to the recommended dosage.

Patients who only suffer from arthritis in one or two joints may be able to rub an NSAID on the skin over the affected joint(s) instead of taking pills.

Another first-line option for osteoarthritis is the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is not an NSAID. It does not reduce swelling, but can be effective at relieving arthritis pain.

Over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines are also helpful for rheumatoid arthritis, but treatment usually doesn't end there. Doctors often combine pain relievers with powerful disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS). These drugs can be "biologic" or "nonbiologic" -- the differences between them have to do with how pharmaceutical companies manufacture them and how doctors administer them.

Doctors frequently treat other types of arthritis by going after the source. Gout, for instance, often improves with the help of medications and lifestyle changes that reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood. Likewise, septic arthritis is treated with antibiotics.

When is surgery an option?

If a joint is badly deformed by arthritis, joint replacement surgery sometimes provides a new lease on life. Artificial hips, knees, and wrists are now commonplace. Surgery may also help fix bone deformities or remove debris that irritates joint tissues.

What can I do for myself?

You and your doctor will have to work together to manage your arthritis. In addition to taking medications as directed, you must take proper care of your joints. First and foremost, you need to find the right balance between rest and exercise. You don't want to put undue strain on your sore joints, but you should use them as much as possible.

Your doctor can recommend range-of-motion and endurance exercises and other activities that will help keep your joints strong and flexible: Hydrotherapy, stretching, weight training, massage, relaxation exercises and t'ai chi have all been reported to relieve pain. Even simple steps like using ice and heat -- including taking a warm bath or shower in the morning -- can help ease pain and stiffness by relaxing muscles.

It is also important to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flax seed and walnuts. If you're overweight, your doctor may also suggest slimming down to take the extra strain off your joints. This can be especially helpful to overweight people with osteoarthritis in the knee or hip, according to the American College of Rheumatology. One small study of 40 overweight patients who had osteoarthritis in the knee found that losing excess body fat through exercise relieved pain and other symptoms.

You may also want to enroll in a patient education program, like the six-week self-help program sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Participants in such programs have reported a 15 to 20 percent decline in pain, as well as lower healthcare expenses, according to a Johns Hopkins report. The course is taught by nonprofessionals who have arthritis and have undergone special training. Contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for details.

Finally, many special devices can help you manage daily tasks. Canes and walkers may be useful if you're having difficulty walking. Labor-saving tools, including lever handles, foam-handled utensils, tongs, rubber bottle and jar openers, and wheeled carts, can also make life a lot easier.

No matter what form of arthritis you may have, take it seriously. There's no reason to put up with the pain, and there's no reason to tackle it alone.