October 14, 2007

Learning If You Have The Signs Of Arthritis

A sudden twinge in an elbow, shoulder, knee or another joint is probably not arthritis. Most forms of arthritis develop slowly, striking first in the hands.
Instead, you've probably irritated the soft tissue around the joint. This ailment–really a family of ailments including bursitis, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome–calls for a slightly different approach to treatment than arthritis.
Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis has negative effects on mental health.
Soft-tissue inflammation is not a natural consequence of aging. Most cases can be traced to excessive exercise…or to a job-related activity involving repetitive motion. The pain is usually apparent within 24 hours of overuse. It can range from a dull ache to shooting pain.
COMMON SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES
Rotator cuff tendinitis affects the tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place. Common among swimmers and other athletes, this ailment can make it hard to get dressed or lie down.
Shoulder bursitis–very common among gardeners and house painters–is caused by repeated pressure on shoulder bursae, fluidfilled "cushions" that protect the joints. It becomes painful to move the arm […]