Arthritis is a disease that strikes millions of individuals. It is potentially debilitating and is characterized by chronic joint pain and inflammation. The arthritis Clarksville TN men and women suffer from can be serious or mild in nature. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the condition, but the discomfort and pain patients experience can be effectively treated in many cases.
Many times, the condition is hereditary and although it can affect young people, it is seen most often in older patients. As mentioned earlier, its symptoms can often be effectively treated. However, most doctors prefer to try to identify the form of the condition from which the person is suffering before recommending a treatment.
Numerous types of the disorder have been identified by scientists, but most are classified as either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors typically order x-rays and blood tests in order to arrive at a specific diagnosis. The treatments recommended will depend on the form and severity of the patient's condition.
The most common form of the disorder is osteoarthritis. According to the CDC, over 35 million American men and women are afflicted with the condition. The role of cartilage is to surround and cushion a person's joints. When this cartilage deteriorates, osteoarthritis is the result. Osteoarthritis can be found in any joint, but is most frequently seen in the neck, knees, lower back, hands, and hips. When the aforementioned deterioration begins, it typically worsens over time.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and stiffness that become worse with movement. Tenderness in the affected joints is also common. Limited range of motion and a loss of flexibility is experienced by most sufferers. Bone spurs are a common side effect as well. This term refers to an extra piece of bone that juts out at an odd angle, creating pain and soreness in the surrounding tissue. However, a person who does not have arthritis can develop bone spurs for unknown reasons.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 15 million American citizens. It is the second most common type of the disease, and is characterized by inflammation of the joint linings. It most often affects the joints in the feet and hands. The erosion of bone and deformities can eventually occur with this form of the disorder.
Once regarded as simply a form of osteoarthritis, it is now understood that rheumatoid sufferers are actually victims of an autoimmune disease. This form of the disorder occurs when the person's immune system turns on his or her own body. It generally afflicts women and men between the ages of 45 and 65 and it strikes more females than males. Common symptoms are morning stiffness, swollen, tender joints, and in certain instances swollen lymph glands.
Treatments frequently include physical therapy, medication for pain, and in serious cases, surgery. Each patient's plan of care will vary, depending on his or her individual symptoms. One's doctor may also suggest treatments to slow the disease's progression and reduce damage to the patient's joints. The types of arthritis Clarksville TN residents suffer from can often be managed quite effectively, but patients must adhere to their doctor's instructions and keep all their follow-up appointments.
Many times, the condition is hereditary and although it can affect young people, it is seen most often in older patients. As mentioned earlier, its symptoms can often be effectively treated. However, most doctors prefer to try to identify the form of the condition from which the person is suffering before recommending a treatment.
Numerous types of the disorder have been identified by scientists, but most are classified as either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors typically order x-rays and blood tests in order to arrive at a specific diagnosis. The treatments recommended will depend on the form and severity of the patient's condition.
The most common form of the disorder is osteoarthritis. According to the CDC, over 35 million American men and women are afflicted with the condition. The role of cartilage is to surround and cushion a person's joints. When this cartilage deteriorates, osteoarthritis is the result. Osteoarthritis can be found in any joint, but is most frequently seen in the neck, knees, lower back, hands, and hips. When the aforementioned deterioration begins, it typically worsens over time.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and stiffness that become worse with movement. Tenderness in the affected joints is also common. Limited range of motion and a loss of flexibility is experienced by most sufferers. Bone spurs are a common side effect as well. This term refers to an extra piece of bone that juts out at an odd angle, creating pain and soreness in the surrounding tissue. However, a person who does not have arthritis can develop bone spurs for unknown reasons.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 15 million American citizens. It is the second most common type of the disease, and is characterized by inflammation of the joint linings. It most often affects the joints in the feet and hands. The erosion of bone and deformities can eventually occur with this form of the disorder.
Once regarded as simply a form of osteoarthritis, it is now understood that rheumatoid sufferers are actually victims of an autoimmune disease. This form of the disorder occurs when the person's immune system turns on his or her own body. It generally afflicts women and men between the ages of 45 and 65 and it strikes more females than males. Common symptoms are morning stiffness, swollen, tender joints, and in certain instances swollen lymph glands.
Treatments frequently include physical therapy, medication for pain, and in serious cases, surgery. Each patient's plan of care will vary, depending on his or her individual symptoms. One's doctor may also suggest treatments to slow the disease's progression and reduce damage to the patient's joints. The types of arthritis Clarksville TN residents suffer from can often be managed quite effectively, but patients must adhere to their doctor's instructions and keep all their follow-up appointments.
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If you need relief from the pain of arthritis Clarksville TN residents can visit the Clarksville Pain Clinic site at www.clarksvillepaininstitute.com. At http://www.clarksvillepaininstitute.com you will explore pain treatment options for a host of health conditions.
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