WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?*

Actually, “ *arthritis* ” is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease or

*_Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age._*

_Inflammation is a process in which the body's white blood cells and immune proteins help protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses._

_In some diseases, however, the body's defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off._

_In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body's normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues._

*_The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal._*

*_What Causes the Symptoms of Inflammation?_*

When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body are released into the blood or affected tissues.

This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection and may result in redness and warmth.

_Some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling due to oxidative stress. This process may stimulate nerves and cause pain._

Osteoarthritis is another form of arthritis basically caused by degeneration of joint tissues after repetitive use - wear and tear.

This is due to deficiency of glutathione needed for the production of stem cells responsible for repairs and regeneration of damaged tissues.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions.

People of all ages, sexes and races can and do have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in the world.

It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

_*Common arthritis joint symptoms include:*_

Swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, fever,
chills, fatigue/loss of energy, headaches,
loss of appetite
muscle stiffness.

Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years, but may progress or get worse over time.

Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.

Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray.

Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints.

*Causes*

There is no single cause of all types of arthritis.

The cause or causes vary according to the type or form of arthritis.

Possible causes may include:

????Injury, leading to degenerative arthritis
abnormal metabolism, leading to gout and pseudogout

????Inheritance, such as in osteoarthritis

????infections, such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease

???? immune system dysfunction, such as in RA and SLE - Autoimmune disorder [ your immune system attacking your tissues]

_Most types of arthritis are linked to a combination of factors, but some have no obvious cause and appear to be unpredictable in their emergence._

Whichever the cause maybe they all create *_Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age._*

Inflammatory disease like Arthritis are caused by oxidative stress due to deficiency of glutathione in the body to mop up inflammatory substances within the joint.

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