You're More Than A Diagnosis

The most common form of inflammatory arthritis.It is a long-term disease that causes inflammation in the joints. It is an autoimmune form of arthritis that affects nearly 1% of the population. In an autoimmune disease the immune system confuses healthy tissue for foreign substances and as a result the body attacks itself.

Form of inflammatory arthritis that is sometimes found in associationwith psoriasis. The arthritis may only involve a few number of joints. Most frequently affects the ends of fingers and toes. In others it may be severe and affect many joints, even the spine. As the arthritis flares the skin rash may become worse as well.

Most people associate this arthritis with age. Osteoarthritis affects weight-bearing areas such as the spine, hips, knees, base of thumns and feet. This is the most common joint disorder caused by 'wear and tear' on the joints. Cartilage between joints breaks down and wears away. The bones rub together causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Being overweight increase your risk of OA in the hip, knee, ankle and foot joints. Fractures or other joint injuries can cause OA later on in life.

Occurs in people after the age of 50 and presents stiffnes aching in the neck, shoulders and hips.

Also referred to as Spondyloarthropathy, is an inflammatory form of arthritis affecting the spine and other joints. Sometimes it is misdiagnosed because of the presence of low back pain. It can often occur in early adolescence. It can also cause inflammation in the bowls and eyes. This is the one type of juvenile arthritis that is more common in boys than in girls and can be directly connected to an inherited gene. Most people who have AS have a gene that produces a 'genetic marker'. It is a protein called HLA-B27. This marker is found in 95% of the caucasian population with AS. You do not have to be HLB-27 positive to have AS and many people with this gene may never contract Ankylosing Spondylitis. The onset of AS usually occurs in younger people between the age of 17-35, however, it can affect young children and those much older. This is a chronic life long disease that is characterised by painful episodes known as 'flares' followed by temporary periods of remission where symptoms subside.

Form of arthritis that comes on after infections, most common infections being intestinal or genitourinary. Young adults are often most affected. Typically begins 1-3 weeks after an infection. Usually causes pain and swelling in the knees, ankles and feet. Often times people with reactive arthritis commonly develop inflammation of the tendons. People with reactive arthritis who have the HLA-B27 gene are more likely to develop spondylitis and, or sacroilitis.

This form of arthritis is due to deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. In addition to the joints, kidneys are another target of this disease. Dietary changes and medications can affectively treat this disease. The uric acide builds up in the joints causing severe pain and swelling.

This is an autoimmune diesease capable of affectin many internal organ sysetms. SLE is most often found in women in the child bearing years. This is disease can be potentially life threatening, so early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

This form of arthritis occurs in children and it is also referred to as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Stiffness and joint pain are the commone factors in this disease, similarly to adults. This disease occurs in children who are under the age of 16.

This is a common form of JRA and occurs in girls more than boys. normally attacks at least 5 joints in the child's body. The side-effects of this type of arthritis can be permanent loss of vision or persiten eye troubles.

This affects many joints in the body ranging from 6+. More often this attacks children of all ages. It does not have the side-effects that are mentioned above.