World celebrates Arthritis Day
People who suffer from arthritis experience abnormalities in their joints and surrounding tissues such as the tendons, muscles and bones.
MBOMBELA – World Arthritis Day (WAD) is held annually on October 12 and is aimed at raising awareness of arthritis globally. Furthermore the day is marked to unify people suffering from the disease. This year’s theme of WAD is, “It’s in your hands, take action.”
The term “arthritis” embraces a wider group of diseases more correctly referred to as rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). They include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
People who suffer from arthritis experience abnormalities in their joints and surrounding tissues such as the tendons, muscles and bones. Although it’s rare, internal organs may in some instances also be affected. They also have prolonged morning stiffness and feel better as the day progresses.
The symptoms of arthritis are pain and sometimes swelling of the joints and surrounding tissue. When the symptoms show, a person should consult a general practitioner for diagnosis but when there is diagnostic uncertainty or management is very difficult, patients are then referred to a rheumatologist.
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of the disease. Genetic predisposition, smoking and abnormal metabolism are also significant risk factors for development.
Although diseases under the RMD umbrella are generally not curable, the treatment may result in significant improvement in the patient’s condition.
