Having just recently discussed this column’s Two-Part Autoimmune Diseases (AD), I thought it crucial to discuss one particular body location affected by this (AD) nemesis: JOINTS. A total of five forms of widespread arthritis are listed below, including 3 forms of non-autoimmune arthritis and 2 forms of auto-immune arthritis or AD.
Summa Health’s representative, Dr. Vivek Bhalla, summarizes his brief explanation in “5 Common Types of Arthritis” (2019). The doctor’s opening paragraph notes these alarming statistics “Commonly associated with older age, arthritis affects (at this time) more than 50 million Americans, including 300,000 children each year.” He continues, “There are over 100 different forms of arthritis (at this time). Depending on the type, it can be extremely painful and affect everyday activities or go relatively unnoticed and be easily managed for years.”
Arthritis is generally known as an inflammation of one or more JOINTS in the body. Google Search tells us, “Osteoarthritis (OA) or non-autoimmune arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage joint surface wears out. A person develops it because the cartilage (spongy tissue) between his/her JOINTS breaks down — often from daily wear and tear. As a result, the bones on either side of the cartilage start to change (and cause aching).” Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Lupus (seen (4) and (5) below) are examples of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. In these cases, the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy body cells, instead of the body’s infected parts. As in Osteoarthritis, their main symptoms are also characterized by JOINT pain, swelling, stiffness, and or loss (or partial loss) of motion range.
Here then are Dr. Bhalla’s 5 Common Types of Arthritis and a brief description of each:
1. OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA): This arthritis usually affects the weight-bearing JOINTS like hips, knees, feet, spine, (and possibly arms and shoulders). It usually develops slowly and is the result of JOINT overuse, both past and present, through physical activity, obesity, or injuries.
2. FIBROMYALGIA: With the vast majority being women, ages 40-75, Fibromyalgia affects more than 3.7 million U.S. citizens (at this time). Dr. Bhalla explains, “This condition causes widespread, sometimes chronic pain, insomnia, and fatigue.”
*Having an older son with this illness, I can verify the fact that these individuals may also be much more sensitive to pain than others without the disability. This disease often occurs as a result of a highly traumatic injury.
3. GOUT: Caused by a build-up, overflow and/or inability to process uric acid, this arthritis causes extreme pain. “Attacks” can last from 3-10 days, and sometimes can occur even months or years apart. Beginning on a person’s big toe, symptoms come on quickly and sharply. If “attacks” are not managed, gout can become more severe, occurring more frequently, and can lead to damaged kidneys and JOINTS.
TWO AUTOIMMUNE (AD) FORMS OF ARTHRITIS:
4. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): This very painful type of inflammatory arthritis is known to mistakenly attack healthy body parts, as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. Painful swelling in JOINTS, like hands, wrists, and knees can then occur. Dr. Bhalla advises, “This tissue damage can cause chronic, long-lasting pain, loss of balance or physical changes and affect surrounding tissues, like the lungs, heart or eyes.”
5. LUPUS: Here is another very serious inflammatory arthritic condition that can last for a lengthy period of time. The inflammation leading from its dangerous mistaken attack on healthy and normal body tissue can lead to damaged kidneys, JOINTS, and even blood.
Part 2: Next Publication
