Geriatrics addresses the health needs of older adults, focusing on frailty, dementia, falls, and chronic disease management.
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Arthritis is a general term for conditions that involve inflammation of one or more joints. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in and around the affected joints. The condition can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds.
While it is often associated with older age, arthritis is not just a disease of the elderly. It can affect children, young adults, and those in the prime of life. It can impact daily activities like walking, dressing, and working, making it a major cause of disability worldwide.
Early diagnosis is crucial for slowing the progression of the disease and preserving joint function. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation while maintaining the patient’s mobility.
The full Arthritis definition is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. It is characterized by chronic inflammation, which damages the joint cartilage and surrounding tissues. This damage eventually leads to reduced range of motion and often severe, persistent pain.
The term itself is ancient. It comes from the Greek word arthron, meaning “joint,” and the suffix itis, meaning “inflammation of.” This etymology precisely describes the core problem: inflammation within the joints.
It is crucial to distinguish between arthritis and general joint pain or injury. While an injury might cause temporary pain and swelling (acute inflammation), arthritis involves chronic, systemic inflammation and joint damage.
Another key distinction is that arthritis is not the same as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle pain and fatigue but does not cause the joint inflammation and structural damage seen in arthritis.
Arthritis is an umbrella term covering over 100 different types of Arthritis and related joint conditions. These are broadly categorized by the cause of the joint damage. Understanding the category is key to determining the correct treatment.
This category includes conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
This is known as the “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Other forms of arthritis are caused by infections or metabolic imbalances in the body.
While arthritis primarily affects the joints and bones, many inflammatory types of Arthritis are systemic. This means they affect multiple organs throughout the body.
The study and treatment of Arthritis hold immense importance. It is a leading cause of long-term disability globally. Effective medical intervention is crucial for maintaining the productivity and independence of millions of people.
Advances in medical treatments, especially the development of biologic drugs, have transformed care. These new medications can often halt the progression of inflammatory arthritis, preserving joint function and preventing lifelong disability.
Arthritis care requires a focused team of medical specialists who manage both the physical and systemic aspects of the disease.
Pain Management: Specialists focused on using injections, nerve blocks, or medication to control chronic, debilitating joint pain.
What do Arthritis Specialists do? Rheumatologists perform detailed physical exams, review complex imaging, and interpret blood tests to accurately diagnose the type of arthritis. They then create a personalized treatment plan using advanced anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drugs.
When should I see an Arthritis Specialist? You should see one if you experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness that lasts for more than a few weeks, or if you have a family history of an autoimmune disease. Early intervention by a rheumatologist is crucial for preserving joint health.
What is the difference between Arthritis and Osteoporosis? Arthritis is a disease of the joints, causing pain and swelling due to inflammation or cartilage loss. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones, causing them to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. While both affect the skeletal system, they require different treatments.
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Arthritis is the inflammation of joints, causing pain and stiffness. Specialists (rheumatologists) diagnose the specific type and manage the systemic disease with advanced medications.
Arthritis care manages the symptoms and complications caused by underlying joint diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Psoriatic Arthritis.
The main types of Arthritis are Inflammatory (like Rheumatoid Arthritis, where the immune system attacks joints) and Degenerative (like Osteoarthritis, which is wear-and-tear).
See a specialist if you have joint pain, swelling, or stiffness that persists for more than three weeks, or if you have morning stiffness lasting over an hour.
Arthritis causes visible joint inflammation and damage. Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle pain and fatigue but does not involve joint swelling or structural damage.
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