Symptoms of Arthritis, Leading Cause of Disability

Whenever there is a change in the weather pattern and you feel joint pain, it could be a symptom of arthritis. According to arthritis research provided by the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of arthritis can be caused by excess amounts of lubricating fluid secreted during wet weather due to changes in the barometric pressure. Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It affects nearly 70 million adults in the United States. That is approximately 1 in 3 Americans. In recent data compiled by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability in the United States. In 2001, 49 million Americans reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and another 21 million reported having symptoms of arthritis.

It is very important for people to understand the symptoms of arthritis, the disease itself, and the various arthritis treatments available. Although chances of developing symptoms of arthritis increase with age; this disease is not just restricted to the elderly. About two-thirds of arthritis patients are under the age of 65. It can affect people of all races and ethnic groups; however, more women develop arthritis symptoms than men. Arthritis comprises over 100 different diseases and conditions but the most common forms are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Other types of arthritis include:  Gout (Gouty Arthritis), Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Arthritis symptoms vary from one individual to another. Common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain and stiffness caused by joint inflammation. In some cases, an individual can develop uric acid or calcium phosphate crystals in the affected joints, which increase pain and decrease mobility. Symptoms of arthritis affect the whole body, and may cause fatigue, weight loss, anemia, and can also affect the heart, eyes, and lungs.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, involves degeneration of cartilage within the joints. This could be caused by usual "wear and tear" of the synovial joints. People suffering from arthritis should strengthen muscles and avoid high impact activities that could worsen the symptoms. Studies have shown that arthritis patients who exercise have reduced symptoms of arthritis. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, another relatively common form of arthritis, tissues and membranes (cartilage, synovial fluid) lining the joints become inflamed. Over time antibodies develop against the inflamed tissue, eventually destroying the components of the joint.

If you have symptoms of arthritis, talk to your physician about having an arthritis panel, which includes:  C-reactive Protein, Rheumatoid Factor, Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), Uric Acid Test, Fibrinogen and
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).
 
Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate, substances found naturally in the body, have been reported to relieve symptoms of arthritis at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Merck & Co., manufacturer of a popular arthritis medication VIOXX, recently pulled the drug off the market due to reports citing an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among users. Dr. Crawford with the FDA states that, "All of the NSAID drugs have risks when taken chronically, especially of gastrointestinal bleeding, but also liver and kidney toxicity." Arthritis patients need to be familiar with the various treatment options available and chose one that best suits them.

Växa's Arthritin, a homeopathic medicinal specifically formulated to help reduce the pain and discomfort of common arthritis and address three major symptoms of joint degeneration. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic ingredients contained within Arthritin create a powerful formula more effective than other brands or than any one ingredient by itself.