This is an ecology project I completed about Penguins!!!!
My Disease Project - Arthritis
Arthritis By Rachel Morris
What isArthritis? · Arthritis is a very common disease, it is often not very well understood. · Arthritis is often associated with joint pain and joint disease, which is correct but there are other symptoms and side effects of arthritis. · People of all ages, races and sexes can develop this disease. This isn’t just associated with certain people, but is usually more common in women rather than men. · Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. · More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children suffer from this disease worldwide. · Arthritis is most common in women and it occurs more frequently as people get older.
Symptoms: vThe main symptoms of this disease are swelling, pain in the joints, stiffness and a decreased range of motion. vThese symptoms can come and go in some cases but unfortunately in some people they can constantly be hurting or increasing. vSymptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. vSevere arthritis may result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to climb stairs or walk. vArthritis can cause permanent joint changes in the limb, such as, knobby finger joints. These joint changes are sometimes visible but mainly can only be seen on an x-ray. vArthritis can sometimes affect the heart, eyes, skin, lungs and kidneys as well as the joints.
Osteoarthritis: § This form of arthritis is degenerative, meaning you develop it as you grow older. This form is also the most common type of arthritis. § When the cartilage (the slick / the cushioning surface on the ends of the bones) wears away, this means that bone begins to rub against bone, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. § Overtime joints can lose strength and pain can become chronic. RISK FACTORS: · Excess weight · Family history · Age · Previous injury
HOW TO HANDLE MILD/MODERATE PAIN: · Balancing activity with rest · Hot and cold therapies · Regular physical activity · Healthy weight · Strengthen the local muscles · Over the counter pain killers · Avoid repetitive movements
HOW TO HANDLE SEVERE PAIN: · If the above advice doesn’t ease any pain, joint replacement is advised.
PREVENTION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS: · Stay active · Healthy weight · Avoid injury · Avoid repetitive movements
Rheumatoid Arthritis: o This is a chronic inflammation disorder o This form of arthritis can affect more than just the joints, it often affects the skin, lungs, heart and blood vessels. o This arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that it occurs when your own immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. o Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints causing a painful swelling that eventually leads to bone erosion and joint deformity. o The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what causes the damage to the other parts of the body. SYMPTOMS: · Tender, warm and swollen joints · Joint stiffness that’s usually worse in the morning or after inactivity · Fatigue, fever and weight loss
FACTS: · Early rheumatoid arthritis effects your small joints first, such as, the fingers and toes. · As it develops it spreads to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. This usually happens simultaneously on both sides of the body. · 40% of people who suffer with rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs/symptoms that didn’t involve their joints (non-joint structures) such as, the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow and blood vessels. CAUSES: · Immune system attacks the synovium · The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. · The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch. · This then leads to the joint losing its original shape and alignment.
RISK FACTORS: · Your gender – women are more likely to develop arthritis · Age – most common between the ages of 40-60 · Family history – increased risk of development as is it genetic · Smoking – increased risk of development due to the immune system being weaker than normal · Environmental exposures – asbestos and silica may increase the risk of developing (dust also increases the risk) · Obesity – increased risk of development due to the immune system being weak
How to help with Arthritis? · Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) reduce stiffness and swelling. Some Arthritis’s Min problem is inflammation.
NATURAL REMEDIES: · Lose weight · More exercise · Hot and cold therapy · Acupuncture · Meditation · Include the right fatty acids in your diet · Add turmeric to dishes · Massage · Herbal supplements
Does stress affect Arthritis? § Stress attracts inflammation § The release of chemicals that effect the immune system that causes inflammation.
Extra Facts about Arthritis Ø More than 50 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, which is 1 in 4 people over 18. Ø 1 in 250 babies and children have arthritis or a rheumatic condition. Ø Osteoarthritis is most popular and affects almost 31 million Americans worldwide. Ø Number of expected people to have arthritis by 2040 = 78 million Ø Arthritis is the nation’s No.1 cause of disability Ø People who suffer with arthritis or a rheumatic condition lose more work days due to injury or illness than any other medical condition. Ø 49% of adults who have heart disease also suffer from arthritis. Ø 31% of adults who are obese have arthritis. Ø One third of adults over the age of 45 who have arthritis also suffer from either anxiety or depression. Ø Two thirds of people who suffer from arthritis are under the age of 65, an estimated amount of 300,000 babies/children. In saying that, the risk of developing arthritis does majorly increase with age. Ø Doctor-diagnosed arthritis is more common in woman (26%) than in men (18%), also in rheumatoid arthritis women outnumber men by far.