Arthritis is a term used to describe many conditions that affect the joints. This eMedTV article describes the different types (such as osteoarthritis and gout), possible 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).
As this eMedTV Web page explains, arthritis can occur due to infections, high levels of uric acid, or other factors. In many cases, the cause is unknown. This article takes a closer look at the risk factors and causes of arthritis.
There are several symptoms that are shared by a number of different types of arthritis. This eMedTV segment lists some of these arthritis symptoms (such as warmth 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 a diagnosis, a healthcare provider 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 page lists specific drugs used to treat this condition (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 risk factors listed on this page are those for osteoarthritis (like gender and getting older) and those for gout (such as having kidney problems).
This eMedTV segment explains that arthritis prevention involves knowing your risk factors, monitoring your health, and making lifestyle changes. This page describes arthritis risk factors (like genetics), as well as lifestyle changes you can make.
If you have arthritis, pain can come from inflammation of the ligaments and a number of other sources. This eMedTV page provides information about the pain associated with this condition, including how it is measured and treated.
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, no "arthritis diet" has been shown to slow down the progression of, or even cure, the condition.
You may have heard claims about various products sold as an "arthritis cure." But as this eMedTV resource explains, there are some considerations to take into account and questions to ask before trying any treatment that makes such a claim.
Magnetic bracelets and vitamin D are among the "natural cures for arthritis." This eMedTV resource explains that while many people with arthritis try these so-called cures, 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.
