Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the joints. In Osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage gradually wears down as the bones at the joints begin to scrape against one another due to repetitive movements and unnecessary pressure on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in smaller joints of the body, while Osteoarthritis is seen in bigger joints like hip and knee joints.
Some of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, rheumatoid nodules, weight loss and inflammation in other areas such as the eyes and lungs.
Those suffering from Osteoarthritis can develop bone spurs or other bone abnormalities.
Treatment for Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis includes medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and stiffness in the joints and improve their range of motion. Physiotherapy may also be suggested to keep the joints flexible and help improve a person’s mobility.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation from the neck to lower back. In AS, the vertebrae in your spine can fuse together making it less flexible and causing a hunched-over posture and difficulty in breathing.
Treatments for AS include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Corticosteroid shots in your joints, Disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Biologic DMARDs. Surgery may be recommended for a curved spine or neck, damaged knees and hips.
