Arthritis

Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects <a href="/facts/Joint/1KlBALox">joints</a>. <a href="/facts/Symptoms/BzP6MrTN">Symptoms</a> generally include <a href="/facts/Joint_pain/jEHMRWX7">joint pain</a> and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, <a href="/facts/Joint_effusion/ULeg4ByL">swelling</a>, and decreased <a href="/facts/Range_of_motion/UnYUTh9v">range of motion</a> of the affected joints. In certain types of arthritis, other organs such as the skin are also affected. Onset can be gradual or sudden.
There are several types of arthritis. The most common forms are <a href="/facts/Osteoarthritis/Iy1wDA1B">osteoarthritis</a> (most commonly seen in weightbearing joints) and <a href="/facts/Rheumatoid_arthritis/qFK4Xwv7">rheumatoid arthritis</a>. Osteoarthritis usually occurs as an individual ages and often affects the hips, knees, shoulders, and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is an <a href="/facts/Autoimmune_disorder/sojBeQ7t">autoimmune disorder</a> that often affects the hands and feet. Other types of arthritis include <a href="/facts/Gout/ktWD69YP">gout</a>, <a href="/facts/Lupus/kfHYawre">lupus</a>, and <a href="/facts/Septic_arthritis/pKydXkpn">septic arthritis</a>. These are inflammatory based types of <a href="/facts/Rheumatic_disease/VjLF3D3n">rheumatic disease</a>.
Early treatment for arthritis commonly includes resting the affected joint and conservative measures such as heating or icing. Weight <a href="/facts/Weight_loss/DQE4cXw0">loss</a> and exercise may also be useful to reduce the force across a weightbearing joint. Medication intervention for symptoms depends on the form of arthritis. These may include anti-inflammatory medications such as <a href="/facts/Ibuprofen/vsKBTfVl">ibuprofen</a> and <a href="/facts/Paracetamol/SNDfQWcf">paracetamol</a> (acetaminophen). With severe cases of arthritis, <a href="/facts/Joint_replacement/y7cApCCh">joint replacement</a> surgery may be necessary.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting more than 3.8% of people, while rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common affecting about 0.24% of people. In Australia about 15% of people are affected by arthritis, while in the United States more than 20% have a type of arthritis. Overall arthritis becomes more common with age. Arthritis is a common reason people are unable to carry out their work and can result in decreased ability to complete activities of daily living. The term arthritis is derived from arthr- (meaning 'joint') and -itis (meaning 'inflammation').

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Arthritis