What is Arthritis and How Can It Affect Your Body?

When your doctor diagnoses you with arthritis, you may ask yourself: What is arthritis and how will this ailment affect my everyday life? Arthritis is a disorder that causes inflammation in your joints, which are the parts of the body where your bones meet. Joints allow their corresponding body parts to move. When joints are inflamed due to arthritis, sufferers will experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in various parts of the body such as their hips, knees, hands, wrists, and/or feet. If this inflammation lasts for a long time, as it does when a person has arthritis, it can lead to tissue damage.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and some form of arthritis affects more than 40 million people in the United States. In fact, this ailment is the nation's most common cause of disability. So, what is causing arthritis to affect you and millions of other people? The answer lies in what type of arthritis you have.

For example, if you have osteoarthritis, which is related to the wear and tear of cartilage, an injury may be to blame for your arthritis or it may simply be due to the natural aging process. However, if you were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you likely developed the disease due to an overactive immune system.

If you are experiencing joint pain and suspect that you may have arthritis, consult your physician. Your doctor will review the history of your symptoms and examine your joints for signs of inflammation, pain, and other signs of arthritis. He or she may also perform various blood, urine, or joint fluid tests, and X-rays may be taken to determine if you have arthritis and what is the type of arthritis affecting you. Your treatment depends on your form of arthritis, and it may include physical therapy, cold pack applications, and anti-inflammation medications.