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

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 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”.6

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”.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: 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”.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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  22. Arthritis.org [Arthritis Foundation, United States]
  23. Arthritis.org.nz [Arthritis New Zealand]
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  25. Arthritis: Arthritis Types
  26. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment
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  31. Arthritis: Should You Avoid Nightshade Vegetables?
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  49. Exercises To Manage Pain
  50. Exercising With Knee or Hip Pain
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  52. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  53. Get Help
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  55. Gout
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  57. Here Is the A To Z of Arthritis!
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  59. How You Can Ease Your Aches and Pain With Meditation
  60. Information Sheets
  61. Information Sheets [Multiply Languages]
  62. Lifestyle Management Programs for Arthritis
  63. Living With Arthritis
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  65. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Strategies for Staying Active With Joint Pain
  66. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Turmeric’s Anti Inflammatory Properties May Relieve Arthritis Pain
  67. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
  68. Menopause With A Rheumatic Disease
  69. NSAIDS [Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs]
  70. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 7 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Osteoarthritis
  71. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chronic Pain: What You Need To Know
  72. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis: What You Need To Know
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Thunder God Vine
  74. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Health Topics
  75. Occupational Therapy
  76. Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
  77. Osteoarthritis
  78. Osteoarthritis
  79. Osteoarthritis
  80. Paget’s Disease [Video]
  81. Pain In the Back: Preventing and Treating Spinal Arthritis
  82. Physical Activity Helps Arthritis Pain
  83. Physical Activity for Arthritis
  84. Physical Therapy for Arthritis
  85. Physiotherapy
  86. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  87. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  88. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  89. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  90. Talking About Arthritis Pain
  91. The Arthritis-Mental Health Connection
  92. Therapies
  93. Types of Arthritis
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  95. Updates on Exercise and Lifestyle Tips for Bone Strength With Joanne Fagerstrom, PT CFP
  96. Versusarthritis.org [Versus Arthritis, United Kingdom]
  97. What Is Arthritis?
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  99. What To Know About Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and Menopause
  100. Why You Wake Up With Stiff Joints

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: 11 September 2023
  2. What Is Arthritis? Arthritis Australia https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-is-arthritis/ Accessed: 11 September 2023
  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: 11 September 2023
  4. Arthritis: Overview – Types of Arthritis. Page Last Reviewed: 08 September 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/#types-of-arthritis Accessed: 11 September 2023
  5. 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: 11 September 2023
  6. 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: 11 September 2023
  7. Arthritis: Arthritis Types. Page Last Reviewed: 20 February 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html Accessed: 11 September 2023
  8. Arthritis: What Is Arthritis? Versus Arthritis https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/ Accessed: 11 September 2023
  9. 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: 11 September 2023
  10. Arthritis: Ways To Help Manage Arthritic Conditions. Page Last Reviewed: 26 August 2023. Page Last Updated: 15 December 2013. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bone-health/arthritis Accessed: 11 September 2023
  11. Arthritis: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 29 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Accessed: 11 September 2023
  12. 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: 11 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 06 March 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 September 2023

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