Arthritis

“Arthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. You may need to try several different treatments, or combinations of treatments…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Arthritis Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Aches
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Joint Diseases
  • Joint Pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatic Conditions/Diseases
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

Terminology

Can arthritis mean different things to different people?

In What Is Arthritis? Arthritis Australia explain:

“Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints where two or more bones meet”.2

Definition

What is arthritis?

DotS the definition of arthritis may vary. In Arthritis: Overview of Arthritis the (United States) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ (NIAMS) definition is:

““Arthritis” literally means joint inflammation. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee.

There are many different types of arthritis with different causes and treatments. In some types, other organs, such as your eyes, heart, or skin, can also be affected.

Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, redness, heat, and swelling in your joints”.3

Types

What are the 2 most common types of arthritis?

In Arthritis: Overview – Types of Arthritis the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the 2 most common types of arthritis”.4

Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis (OA)?

DotS the definition of OA may vary. In Osteoarthritis: Overview of Osteoarthritis? the NIAMS’s definition is:

“Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more common in older people”.5

Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

DotS the definition of RA may vary. In Rheumatoid Arthritis: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis the NIAMS’s definition is:

“Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that mostly affects joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. The disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints”.6

Symptom Differences

Are arthritis symptoms one-size-fits-all?

No. In Arthritis: Arthritis Basics – Symptoms and Diagnosis the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain:

“Symptoms vary by arthritis type but usually include joint pain and stiffness”.7

Cause

What causes arthritis?

In Arthritis: What Is Arthritis? the (United Kingdom) Versus Arthritis elaborate on:

“It may be difficult to say what has caused your arthritis. There are several factors that can increase the risk of each type of arthritis. It could be that the genes you inherited from your parents or grandparents made you more likely to get arthritis”.8

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and OA?

On page three in Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Reducing the Risks of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis Post Menopause the International Menopause Society elaborate on:

“While osteoarthritis is more common in men than women before menopause, it is higher in women after menopause. The identification of women with a family history of arthritis or those who are beginning to have stiff joints and immobility at the start of menopause is important and may allow for interventions, such as physical therapy, weight loss, physical exercise and anti-inflammatory agents. There is some data suggesting that estrogen may have a role in improving or decreasing the risk of osteoarthritis”.9

Management

What can arthritis management include?

In Arthritis: Self Care for Arthritis – Arthritis: Five Ways To Manage Your Symptoms – Things You Can Do Right Away the CDC elaborate on:

Arthritis

“Follow these five key steps to manage your arthritis:

  1. Learn the skills you need to manage arthritis…
  2. Be active…
  3. Keep a healthy weight…
  4. See your healthcare provider…
  5. Protect your joints…”.10

Treatment

How may arthritis be treated?

In Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Arthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. You may need to try several different treatments, or combinations of treatments, before you determine what works best for you”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have arthritis?

If you think you have arthritis, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Arthritis Basics: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take – How Is Arthritis Treated?. the NIAMS explain:

“There are many treatments that can help relieve pain and help you live with arthritis.
You should talk to your doctor about the best treatments for you, which can include:

  • Medications to relieve pain, slow the condition, and prevent further damage
  • Surgery to repair joint damage or relieve pain”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Arthritis?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Arthritis?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 29 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Accessed: 09 January 2025
  2. What Is Arthritis? Arthritis Australia https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-is-arthritis/ Accessed: 09 January 2025
  3. Arthritis: Overview of Arthritis. Last Reviewed: November 2022. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis Accessed: 09 January 2025
  4. Arthritis: Overview – Types of Arthritis. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/#types-of-arthritis Accessed: 09 January 2025
  5. Osteoarthritis: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Overview of Osteoarthritis. Last Reviewed: September 2023. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis Accessed: 09 January 2025
  6. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Overview. Last Reviewed: November 2022. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis Accessed: 09 January 2025
  7. Arthritis: Arthritis Basics – Symptoms and Diagnosis. 22 March 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/index.html Accessed: 09 January 2025
  8. Arthritis: What Is Arthritis? Versus Arthritis https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/ Accessed: 09 January 2025
  9. Arthritis: Self Care for Arthritis – Arthritis: Five Ways To Manage Your Symptoms – Things You Can Do Right Away. 17 January 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/caring/index.html Accessed: 09 June 2024
  10. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 29 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Accessed: 09 June 2024
  11. Arthritis Basics: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take – How Is Arthritis Treated? Last Reviewed: November 2022. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis/basics/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take Accessed: 09 June 2024
Topic Last Updated: 19 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 January 2025

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