Learn about the causes of Arthritis & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Arthritis within New Zealand.
Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint or joints that causes pain,
stiffness and swelling. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in
people over the age of 65.
The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (sometimes referred
to as OA) and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the common form
whereby cartilage between the bones in the joints begins to waste away
causing the bones to rub against each other. This is the degenerative
type of arthritis and can lead to misalignment of the joints
particularly in the knees, hips, spine and hands.
Rheumatoid
arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis but less common than OA.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs as the body's immune system attacks and
damages the joints causing pain and swelling. This form of arthritis
reduces function of the joint leading to a loss in mobility as the
cartilage and bone is destroyed.
Arthritis has over 200
different forms including: Ankylosing spondylitis, Fibromyalgia and
Cervical spondylitis. Although rare, children can develop arthritis and
this is referred to as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ( or JIA).
The
actual cause of osteoarthritis is unclear but many healthcare
professionals believe genetics play a major role in the development of
the disease. Factors that may contribute to OA include:
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk