How Do I Handle My Arthritis?

The first step in understanding arthritis is finding out what specific type of arthritis you have. This can be done through several tests which differentiate the causes and will help to develop a course of treatment. Arthritis is a common term for inflammation of joints; however, many diseases can cause arthritis.

Causes of arthritis can range from osteoarthritis (protective cartilage surrounding your bones starts to deteriorate) to rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder where an overactive immune system attacks normal tissues). Most importantly, arthritis may be a sign of other systemic inflammatory processes which can lead to other chronic diseases.

Each form of arthritis has a particular cause and unique needs to address. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout), hereditary factors and infections. Arthritis can be caused by tick bites, such as in Lyme’s disease. It can be caused by a diet high in animal fats or other foods that increase inflammation systemically.

Next: Common tests for arthritis

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tracey O.

2:16PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

I was recently diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 38. I have since turned 39. My knees,hips,shoulders & back were the areas that caused me the most pain & led my doctor to test me. He did the lab work & ordered 14 x-rays. He placed my on arthritis medicine which has helped with the pain except my knees. I have had a difficult time coping with this diagnoses & adapting to the pain has been hard as well. I am now dealing with it much better as I refuse to wallow in self pity because I have several other health problems too. I always tell myself how fortunate I am as things could be so much worse. I may have many things wrong with me mentally & physically but what is right with me outweighs what is wrong.

send a green star

KS G.

4:43AM PST on Mar 8, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Toni nofwds C.

1:04AM PST on Feb 6, 2011

Appreciate reading the information in this article... I'm another who has been diagnosed with arthritis... knees, shoulders, hands, but most of all spine. there is no osteo in my spine but I am developing scoliosis in the cervical and lumbar regions, and have a lot of muscle pain that goes along with it. My warm baths and my heating pad seems to help the most because I've gone off all medications in the past six months. Why? Because my doctor was wanting to put me on narcotics to ease the pain. In general I am in excellent health and I know the narcotics ease the pain, but I also know they cause other problems I don't need.

Fleur B.

12:17PM PST on Feb 5, 2011

I have arthritis and yep a outdoor energetic person. I have discoverd that diet has a great part to play. You may like to look at this, eliminate caffine and other suggested foods. Also aromatherapy has been been proven to help. Good luck

Gerald M.

10:33AM PST on Jan 16, 2011

Thank you for this, Dr. Lange.
Informative and well worth the read...

KrassiAWAY B.

2:52PM PDT on Oct 5, 2010

Read, thank you.

Patricia B.

7:00PM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

Buen artículo.

Teresa P.

7:21AM PDT on Aug 23, 2010

Thank you