Arthritis - This inflammatory disease occurs throughout the body, in which its most pronounced manifestation is inflammation of the joints. During which inflammatory changes occur in the inner articular synovial membrane. Moreover, in the place of synovitis development, often an inflammatory effusion - exudate - often begins to accumulate. The progressing pathological process can gradually spread to other articular surfaces - bone epiphyses, joint capsule, cartilage, as well as to periarticular tissues - tendons, bags, ligaments.
Arthritis - Causes
The causes of the disease can be infections, allergies, disorders of the body’s immune system or psychological trauma, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, the environment, poor nutrition and a genetic predisposition.
Occurrence of professional arthritis is associated with long-term loads of the same groups of the musculoskeletal system.
Arthritis - symptoms and types
A disease of one joint is called "monoarthritis", two or three - "opigoarthritis", more than three - "polyarthritis".
In addition, there are dozens of other various joint diseases manifested by arthritis, which include: ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Reiter's syndrome. Arthritis can also act as one of the symptoms of diseases, for example, such as systemic vasculitis, diffuse connective tissue diseases, syphilis, gonorrhea, rheumatism, etc.
Most common:
- rheumatoid arthritis, which accounts for more than 45% of diseases in which staphylococcal infection is the causative agent. Staphylococci live and multiply in the tonsils of the pharynx, so the disease begins to progress one to two weeks after a sore throat. Symmetrical pains in the joints immediately appear, which swell, while the skin over them turns red. At the same time, the temperature rises and an unpleasant general weakness occurs. With recurrent rheumatoid arthritis, even a light touch of a sheet or blanket causes suffering. Closer to night, the pain intensifies. In addition to joints, the skin, kidneys, liver and heart are affected during the course of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis should be treated immediately, patiently and intensively. The first symptoms of the disease that appear should be the reason for an immediate visit to an arthrologist;
- gouty arthritis, treat diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Since during its course, deposits of uric acid salts are deposited in the joints. A distinctive feature of this disease is a pronounced lesion of the joint of the big toe. Most often, lovers of plentiful and tasty food are susceptible to this disease. The disease is treated mainly with antibiotics and diet;
- Infectious arthritis, most often caused by intestinal infections (typhoid fever, salmonellosis, dysentery). It differs from rheumatism in that the heart is not affected, on radiographs there are no visible changes in the joints, and treatment is carried out with antibiotics, while rheumatism mainly helps with aspirin;
- gonorrheal arthritis, has a distinctive feature - a large accumulation of fluid in the joint. If left untreated, general deformation of the joints develops very quickly.
In all cases of the disease, the same clinical picture is observed: a feeling of pronounced stiffness in the joint affected by the disease, pain, swelling and fever of the tissue located above the joint. In some cases, with acute development of arthritis, it can be accompanied by fever and general weakness.
Arthritis - Diagnosis
The uniformity of the symptoms of the disease makes it difficult to establish a nosological diagnosis that allows you to recognize the nature of the disease. Therefore, it is important to conduct a thorough examination and questioning of the patient, for any signs of arthritis that have occurred in the past, their development during infections of the nasopharynx, passing urethritis or enterocolitis or alcohol excess. On examination, a mandatory examination of the spine and joints of the limbs is necessary.
Symmetric damage to the joints of the feet and hands, characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Non-symmetric inflammation in the joints of the lower extremities, typical of Reiter's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis developing after intestinal or urinary diseases. During which there are limited movement and pain.
Changes in the hands, refer to diseases of the joints, in which only a thorough examination, will help to correctly diagnose. During the examination of a patient with arthritis, it is necessary to conduct a study of urine and blood, as well as an X-ray of the affected areas.
Arthritis - prevention and treatment
Due to the fact that the treatment of the disease depends on the nature and causes of it, local exposure means are always used - intra-articular drug administration, physiotherapy and general exposure methods - massage, physical education. In some cases, surgery.
Preventive methods include:
* a variety of food and weight normalization;
* must be present in the diet - fruits, vegetables and crops;
* limited intake of salt and sugar and a decrease in the diet - meat, animal fats.
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