What is Arthritis?

Arthritis comes from the Greek word arthro, joint + itis, inflammation. It means a disease in which there is a prolonged inflammation or swelling of joints. The disease can severely damage the quality of life. Limbs become stiffer, making the person less agile and less efficient.

Arthritis can be divided into two main categories, namely, inflammatory and degenerative, based on the kind of damage to the joint.

Inflammatory Arthritis

It involves inflammation of the synovium, also called the synovial membrane, the sheet of flattened connective tissue lining the joint. Since the synovial fluid is a vulnerable point for bacteria to culture and proliferate, the joints quickly become swollen causing excruciating pain. The swelling comes both from the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the joint and from an increased secretion of joint fluid.

Degenerative Arthritis

It is caused by direct injury. It involves damage to the articular cartilage overlying the ends of the bone forming the joint. The result of wear and tear on the protective cartilage covering the articulating surfaces of bones. Overweight, faulty posture, injury to the knees, heredity and a lifetime of hard manual work make occurrence of the degenerative arthritis more likely.

If you feel some kind of joint pain, stiffness or swelling for a prolonged period of time you might be infected by arthritis. Timely treatment always pays off.