Arthritis Information

Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to arthritis information including topics such as arthritis prevention, arthritis, and arthritis risk factors. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.

Description of Articles in Arthritis Information

Arthritis is a term used to describe many conditions that affect the joints. This eMedTV article describes arthritis types (such as osteoarthritis and gout), symptoms (like redness and swelling in the joints), diagnosis, and treatment.

This page on the eMedTV site gives an overview of the various categories of arthritis (including inflammatory arthritis and hemorrhagic arthritis) and the types of arthritis within those categories (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis).

The causes of arthritis vary depending on the specific type of arthritis a person has. This eMedTV page describes the causes of several types of arthritis (such as gout) and explains that scientists don't know the causes of most types of arthritis.

There are several symptoms that are shared by a number of different types of arthritis. This eMedTV segment lists some of these symptoms (such as warmth and redness in a joint) and explains how different forms of arthritis can have different effects.

This page on the eMedTV site explains that there is no one test for diagnosing arthritis. In order to make an arthritis diagnosis, a doctor will take the patient's medical history, perform a physical exam, and recommend certain tests (such as x-rays).

Medication, surgery, and alternative therapies are a few types of arthritis treatment. This eMedTV Web page lists specific drugs used to treat arthritis (like NSAIDs and DMARDs) and describes situations in which other treatment options may be used.

This eMedTV page provides an overview of risk factors for arthritis. Among the arthritis risk factors listed on this page are risk factors for osteoarthritis (like gender and getting older) and risk factors for gout (such as having kidney problems).

This eMedTV page explains that arthritis prevention involves knowing your arthritis risk factors, monitoring your health, and making lifestyle changes. This page lists arthritis risk factors (like genetics), as well as lifestyle changes you can make.

Arthritis pain can come from inflammation of the ligaments, muscle strain, and fatigue, among other sources. This eMedTV page provides information about arthritis pain, including how it is measured and treated, as well as how many people it affects.

A few of the drugs that may be used to treat arthritis include aspirin, acetaminophen, and NSAIDs. This eMedTV page lists other arthritis medications and discusses how they can help to treat arthritis symptoms, as well as their potential side effects.

This eMedTV page offers a list of health professionals who treat arthritis, such as occupational therapists, nurse educators, and rheumatologists. This page also explains the role that each of these health professionals plays in treating arthritis.

People with arthritis can have an active lifestyle and participate in numerous exercises. This eMedTV page offers some guidelines on arthritis and exercise (like the importance of talking with your doctor about any exercise plans you are considering).

People with arthritis should eat a well-balanced diet and control their weight. However, this eMedTV page explains that while these steps are important, there is no "arthritis diet" that has been shown to slow the progression of, or cure, arthritis.

You may have heard claims about a product sold as an "arthritis cure." But as this eMedTV page explains, there are some considerations to take into account before trying any treatment that claims to cure arthritis (such as whether or not it is proven).

Magnetic bracelets and vitamin D are among the "natural cures for arthritis." This eMedTV resource explains that while many people with arthritis try natural cures, arthritis treatments that are proven should not be replaced with unproven remedies.

This section of the eMedTV library explores arthritis and acupuncture, explaining that while acupuncture is shown to be an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, it isn't known whether or not it is effective at treating other types of arthritis.