Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Arthritis affects people of all age groups. More than 100 types of arthritis are known. Among these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis having the highest incidence. One of the major causes of chronic debilitation in industrialized nations is Osteoarthritis which results from damage to the joints, which may be due to trauma, infection, or age-related wear. Rheumatoid arthritis is encountered less frequently than osteoarthritis and is estimated to affect around one per cent of the world’s population. Amongst patients of Rheumatoid arthritis, women are three times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. This condition is caused by an inflammatory process where the body starts attacking itself. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects several joints, with inflammation sometimes seen in and around the lungs, the heart, the eyes and the skin. The most commonly reported complaint by arthritis patients is pain. The pain might be from the joint itself and be a result of inflammation, damage from the disease, or through daily wear and tear. Muscle pain is also common and is caused by having to force movements against stiff and painful joints. Although range of movement in the affected joint may be limited and uncomfortable, physical exercise has been shown to benefit those with arthritis. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain in the long term and delay the need for surgery in advanced cases. The majority of arthritis cases occur among theelderly, however the disease can occur in children as well. Over 70% of the population that get affected by arthritis in North America are over the age of 65 (4). The disease occurs more commonly in females than males in all races, age groups, and ethn...

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...l GMC. In Europe, patients with arthritis are diagnosed after a delay of 6 months. However, in the UAE, this period of delay is 18 months.
The UAE World Arthritis Day concluded recently. It was organized by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation on 12-13 October at the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Dubai to support people suffering from arthritis, their families and friends and to increase public awareness of the condition within the country. The organization hopes that by raising the profile of the disease, detection rates will improve, which, in turn, should lead to quicker treatment — something that is vital to combat the worst effects of the disorder.
There is also a positive correlation between smoking and arthritis. It has been found that smokers of either sex are at an increased risk of developing seropositive, but not seronegative, RA (rheumatoid arthritis) (16).

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