Arthritis
Arthritis comes from the Greek words arthon, meaning joint, and itis, meaning inflammation. Literally, then, arthritis means an inflammation of the joints. This definition seems simple and straightforward enough, and most cases of arthritis do involve an inflamed joint. However, many types of arthritis involve no inflammation at all; breakdown of cartilage can occur as well. In common usage, arthritis has come to mean any aches and pains in the bones, joints, and muscles. Many people have the notion that arthritis is disease only for old people. ... There is no one typical likeness of an arthritis patient. ... It is not limited in a certain age group or gender, although some types of arthritis seem to affect men more than women and vice versa. Women, for example, seem more prone to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; men are more likely to get gout and ankylosing sponddylitis. ... This inborn problem may not be obvious when the person is young, but may affect him or her to arthritis later in life. Unlike Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not associated with the wear and tear of use or with injury. ... An estimated 2 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis, and roughly twice as many women as men are infected. ... Periodic examination of joints and test can be done to monitor the arthritis. ... Another form of arthritis that doctors witness more in men than of women is ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or Marie-Strumpell disease. This type of arthritis affects the spine and sacroiliac joints that involve inflammation of the ligaments and tendons where they attach to the bone.