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Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative
joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in your joints
wears down over time. While osteoarthritis can affect any joint
in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, neck and lower back. Treatment may include
physical therapy, medications - either oral or topical (applied to the skin) such as Celebrex, Flector patches, Voltaren gel,
and Pennsaid drops.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory
disorder that most typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion
and joint deformity. It is often treated with medications such as methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Orencia, Actemra,
Cimzia or Simponi.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that
causes sudden, severe pain, swelling and tenderness – most often in the large joint of the big toe. However, gout isn’t
limited to the big toe; it can affect other joints including the feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists, elbows and sometimes
soft tissue and tendons. It usually affects only one joint at a time, but it can become chronic and, over time, affect several
joints. Gout attacks may be reduced or prevented with medications such as allopurinol, Uloric or Krystexxa.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread
musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies
painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma,
surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single
triggering event. Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Treatment options include slow gradual
exercise, yoga, and often medications such as Lyrica and Cymbalta.
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