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
  • Arthritis
  • Joint Diseases
  • Joint Pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • 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

In Arthritis: Arthritis Types the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also note:

“Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues”.3

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”.4

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”.5

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”.6

Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

DotS the definition of RA may vary. In Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? the CDC’s definition is:

“Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body”.7

Symptom Differences

Are arthritis symptoms one-size-fits-all?

No. The CDC explain:

“Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness”.8

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”.9

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”.10

Management

What can arthritis management include?

In Arthritis: Ways To Help Manage Arthritic Conditions the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

Arthritis

“There are many ways to help manage arthritic conditions including:

  • Exercise such as stretching and/or strength work, walking, swimming or cycling
  • Physiotherapy, osteopathy and massage to assist with flexibility and muscle relaxation
  • Healthy eating
  • Relaxation or meditation to help with pain management
  • Medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and paracetamol
  • Alternative therapies such as glucosamine and fish oil

Discuss the best options for you with your doctor”.11

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”.12

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 To Treat Arthritis. 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”.13

 

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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.

  1. 10 Steps for Living Well With Arthritis
  2. 5 Ways To Manage Arthritis
  3. A To Z of Arthritis
  4. About Arthritis
  5. About Arthritis
  6. An Anti-Inflammatory Diet May Be Good for Your Joints
  7. Ankylosing Spondylitis
  8. Arthritis
  9. Arthritis
  10. Arthritis
  11. Arthritis
  12. Arthritis
  13. Arthritis
  14. Arthritis Awareness Month: Expanding Interventions for Arthritis
  15. Arthritis Diet
  16. Arthritis Pain Management
  17. Arthritis Pain: Do’s and Don’ts
  18. Arthritis and Complementary Health Approaches
  19. Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases
  20. Arthritis on the Rise
  21. Arthritis – Multiply Languages
  22. Arthritis.org [Arthritis Foundation, United States]
  23. Arthritis.org.nz [Arthritis New Zealand]
  24. Arthritis: Arthritis Basics
  25. Arthritis: Arthritis Types
  26. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment
  27. Arthritis: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  28. Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA)
  29. Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  30. Arthritis: Risk Factors
  31. Arthritis: What Causes Arthritis?
  32. Arthritisaustralia.com.au [Arthritis Australia]
  33. Back Pain
  34. Bones, Joints and Muscles [Topics]
  35. Can Arthritis Pain Medications Be Harmful? I Regularly Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine for Arthritis. Can This Be Harmful?
  36. Common Aches and Pains
  37. Complementary and Alternative Treatments
  38. Conditions
  39. Consumer Health: Arthritis and Exercise
  40. Consumer Health: Dealing With Arthritis Pain
  41. Consumer Health: Tips for Protecting Your Joints From Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
  42. Consumer Health: Understanding the Risks With Arthritis Pain Medications
  43. Curearthritis.org [Arthritis National Research Foundation, United States]
  44. Drugs
  45. Ease-of-Use [Products]
  46. Exercise Helps Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness
  47. Exercises To Manage Pain
  48. Exercising With Knee or Hip Pain
  49. Four Things You Should Know About Arthritis
  50. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  51. Get Help
  52. Gout
  53. Gout
  54. Healthy Body: 10 Ways To Reduce Pain
  55. Here Is the A To Z of Arthritis!
  56. How To Cope With Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
  57. How You Can Ease Your Aches and Pain With Meditation
  58. Information Sheets
  59. Information Sheets [Multiply Languages]
  60. Lifestyle Management Programs for Arthritis
  61. Living With Arthritis
  62. Living With Arthritis
  63. Mayo Clinic Minute: Fighting Arthritis With Food
  64. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis
  65. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Strategies for Staying Active With Joint Pain
  66. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treating Osteoarthritis With Corticosteroid Injections
  67. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Turmeric’s Anti Inflammatory Properties May Relieve Arthritis Pain
  68. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
  69. Menopause With A Rheumatic Disease
  70. NSAIDS [Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs]
  71. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things You Should Know About Dietary Supplements for Osteoarthritis
  72. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chronic Pain: In Depth
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Osteoarthritis: In Depth
  75. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis: In Depth
  76. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Health Topics
  77. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Thunder God Vine
  78. Occupational Therapy
  79. Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
  80. Osteoarthritis
  81. Osteoarthritis
  82. Osteoarthritis
  83. Paget’s Disease [Video]
  84. Physical Activity Helps Arthritis Pain
  85. Physical Activity for Arthritis
  86. Physical Therapy for Arthritis
  87. Physiotherapy
  88. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  89. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  90. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  91. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  92. Talking About Arthritis Pain
  93. The Arthritis-Mental Health Connection
  94. Therapies
  95. Types of Arthritis
  96. Understanding Arthritis
  97. Versusarthritis.org [Versus Arthritis, United Kingdom]
  98. What Is Arthritis?
  99. What Is Arthritis?
  100. What To Know About Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and Menopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 15 September 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Accessed: 25 November 2022
  2. What Is Arthritis? Arthritis Australia https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-is-arthritis/ Accessed: 25 November 2022
  3. Arthritis: Arthritis Types. Page Last Reviewed: 20 February 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html Accessed: 25 November 2022
  4. Arthritis: Overview of Arthritis. Last Reviewed: April 2017. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis Accessed: 25 November 2022
  5. Arthritis: Overview – Types of Arthritis. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/#types-of-arthritis Accessed: 25 November 2022
  6. Osteoarthritis: Overview of Osteoarthritis. Last Reviewed: October 2019. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis Accessed: 25 November 2022
  7. Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Page Last Reviewed: 27 July 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html Accessed: 25 November 2022
  8. Arthritis: Arthritis Types. Page Last Reviewed: 20 February 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html Accessed: 25 November 2022
  9. Arthritis: What Is Arthritis? Versus Arthritis https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/ Accessed: 25 November 2022
  10. Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Reducing the Risks of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis Post Menopause. 2014:3. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/wmd-2014-leaflet-english.pdf Accessed: 25 November 2022
  11. Arthritis: Ways To Help Manage Arthritic Conditions. Page Last Reviewed: 07 October 2020. Page Last Updated: 15 December 2013. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bone-health/arthritis Accessed: 25 November 2022
  12. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 15 September 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Accessed: 25 November 2022
  13. Arthritis Basics: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take – How To Treat Arthritis. Last Reviewed April: 2017. 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: 25 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 25 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 November 2022

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