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Ailments ExplainedThe following is a comprehensive listing of ailments that Celadrex can provide relief for. To return to the top of this page simply use the Back to Top links found below each article. OsteoarthritisWhat is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but mostly effects the knee, finger joints, spine and hip joints. The most common form of Osteoarthritis is OA of the knee, it is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). What Osteoarthritis Does to Cartilage
Osteoarthritis of the Knee Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common form of the disease and affects a high percentage of arthritis sufferers. The knee joint is one of the largest in human body and certainly the most complex because it has several tasks that it must perform. It must be highly durable and strong and be able to support all of our weight and lock into position when we stand upright. It has to deal with a lot of work in its everyday tasks and when running and playing sports. It has to be able to withstand extreme stress and workloads and to be highly flexible when we engage in athletic activities such as sports. Most of us take for granted the role that our knee joints play in making everyday life normal and allowing us movement and flexibility, until the joint no longer functions as it should and our ability to be mobile is hindered. OA of the knee seems to affect more females than males and is more prevalent in women who are over 50. What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis Most sufferers of OA of the knee report that their knee joint is painful and at times less mobile or stiff. Knee stiffness tends to occur when the knee remains in one position for a considerable amount of time, for instance throughout the night when we sleep and is most profound first thing in the morning. The discomfort and pain do tend to vary throughout different periods and some sufferers have reported that there pain is worst during certain seasons of the year. Some sufferers claim that their pain is worse when it rains or is damp, however there is no scientific data or evidence to suggest that changes in the climate or atmospheric pressure can cause painful joints. Obesity & Osteoarthritis of the KneeVarious studies have indicated that being vastly overweight dramatically increases the risk of developing OA of the knees. Research has shown that increased body weight affects an individuals risk of developing OA of the knee joints, long before the symptoms appear, in fact up to 12 years prior. Avoiding excessive weight gain as you age or reducing any excess weight may very well help prevent OA of the knee. Research has mainly focused on the effects obesity has on bones and joint problems, such as breaks and osteoarthritis. Further evidence has shown that obesity also effects the soft tissue areas such as cartilage and tendons. It is true to say that they heavier a person is, the higher the load that is distributed across the knees and this places an even greater strain on the knee joints and vastly increases the risk of developing Osteoarthritis of the knee. AthletesAthletes my develop Osteoarthritis in certain joints that relate to an injury or excessive overuse of the joint. If you have a history of significant injuries to the knee and hip can very well increase your risk OA in these joints. By avoiding damage and injury to a joint and obtaining medical treatment early after a joint injury occurs may help prevent Osteoarthritis. Maintaining an active lifestyle and playing sports does not necessarily lead to Osteoarthritis of the knee, however it has been shown that injuries of the knee frequently lead to Osteoarthritis in later life.
Getting OlderAs we age the risk of Osteoarthritis increases and is most common in people over 65 years. OA affects mostly males up to the age 55 years, however beyond that age it becomes more common in females.
HeredityOsteoarthritis (OA) can be inherited and passed down generation to generation in some families. This can happen as a direct result of abnormal genes that relate to cartilage or bone joints. Osteoarthritis of the hands does seem to have hereditary characteristics. If a previous family member such as a parent or grandparent has or had osteoarthritis in their hands then you do have a higher risk of having this type of arthritis. TendonitisWhat is Tendonitis? Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, the strong white fibrous tissues that connect muscles to the bones. The tendons allow the release of power which is created by the muscles to be transferred to the bones which in turn provides movement and mobility. Some of the tendons are covered with a protective tissue called synovium which is lubricated covering that acts as a guard. It is quite common for the synovium to be more affected by inflammation than the tendon and the action of pulling the muscle (its function) becomes irritable and painful. What causes Tendonitis? Probably the most common cause of Tendonitis is overuse. People who start an exercise program or increase their level of exercise can experience symptoms of Tendonitis and is common with adults who engage in a lot of sporting activities. This can happen because their tendon is unaccustomed to the new level of demand being placed upon it and this in turn will cause inflammation and Tendonitis. Another very common cause of symptoms of Tendonitis is due to growing old and the fact that the tendon ages. This means that as we age and our tendons age they begin to loose their elasticity and their ability to move smoothly as they once did. The older one becomes more prone and likely we are to develop symptoms of Tendonitis. We do not fully understand what causes these ageing changes, but it may be attributed to changes in the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tendons. What are the symptoms of Tendonitis? Some of the most common symptoms are aches or sharp pain, tenderness, stiffness and swelling, heat and redness to the local area of the affected tendon, however in some cases it can be experienced as a burning pain that surrounds the whole joint and the inflamed tendon. The individual can also experience weakness in the arm or leg due to pain and a stiffness in the affected area.
FybromylagiaWhat is Fybromyalgia? What are the symptoms of Fybromyalgia? The most symptom of Fybromylagia is pain and other symptoms are fatigue in muscles and tendons, tingling sensations in hands, arms, feet and face, morning stiffness, migraines, sleep disturbances, abdominal pain and bloating. Fybromyalgia is best characterised by pain in certain areas of the body when pressure is applied and is often accompanied by stiffness. It is quite common for sufferers to experience other symptoms such as Dizziness, Mood Swings, Dry Mouth & Skin, Anxious Behaviour, Depression and problems with concentration. Who is at risk of developing Fybromyalgia? Fybromyalgia affects 5% of the population, however more women are affected than men. Women who have the disease out number their male counterparts by approximately 20:1. The risk also increases with age and women between the ages of 60 and 80 years have about a 7% chance of developing the disease. You are more likely to develop FMS if you have a family history of other relatives who suffer or have suffered with Fybromyalgia.
BursitisWhat is Bursitis? Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, the fluid sacs that lie between the tendon and skin. They also lie between the tendon and bone. Every person has hundreds of Bursa scattered throughout the body. The primary function of the Bursa is to reduce friction between two surfaces that move in different directions. The most common sites for Bursitis are the hip, knee, elbow and heel. Probably the best way to characterise what exactly a Bursa does is to think of rubbery sack filled with a fluid that contains no air inside and acts as a buffer between two surfaces. The bursa allows two surfaces to move over each other with very little effort in a smooth action. What Causes Bursitis? Bursitis can be caused by many different things however the most common causes are: repetitive movement or prolonged and excessive pressure. People who rest on their elbows for long periods or those who bend them frequently and repetitively can develop Bursitis. Just like other parts of the body repetitive use or frequent pressure may irritate a bursa and cause inflammation and this is especially relevant to people in certain occupations who spend lengthy periods on their knees, such as carpet fitting. Healthy bursa have incredible gliding qualities and when a bursa becomes inflamed it loses its ability to glide effortlessly and becomes gritty and iritated when when moved. When bursitis occurs, the once healthy and slippery bursa becomes inflamed and swollen. What are the symptoms of Bursitis? Bursitis causes pain and tenderness around the affected tendon or bone. The Bursa Sacs maybe become inflamed and swollen making movement difficult and painful. Commonly affected Joints are: Shoulder, Elbow, Knee, Wrist, Hand and Foot. Muscle weakness and restricted range of motion. Bursitis of the knee is known as prepatellar bursitis or housemaids knee and is caused when the prepatellar bursa (located at the front of the knee cap) becomes inflamed due to repeated friction.
Rheumatoid ArthritisWhat is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory illness, characterised by of the lining (synovium) of the joints. It may lead to long-term joint damage, which results in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. RA is an autoimmune disease in which the persons own immune system attacks normal tissue as if they were invading pathogens. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the world’s population. Inflammation associated with RA primarily attacks the linings (synovium) of the joints. However, the membranes lining the blood vessels, lungs and heart can become inflamed. The most affected areas are the hands and feet, but any joint lined by a membrane may be involved. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic relapsing illness that can vary significantly from individual to individual. The relapse is best characterised by the fact that people suffering Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) seem to experience bouts when the disease flares up and other periods when it calms down and settles. It is true to say that the majority of people suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) experience this type of disease behaviour which includes periods of flare-ups and times when it settles down. During flare-ups there is damage caused to each of the affected joints. The amount of mobility loss and joint destruction usually depend on how severe and frequent each flare-up is. The 3 main stages of progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, swelling and redness around the joint. The second stage is where the the cells divide and grow rapidly, which causes the lining (synovium) to thicken. The third stage is where the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest the bone and cartilage, which in turn often causes the joint to loose its shape and alignment which leads to loss of movement and further pain. How does Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) develop and progress? Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) usually develops slowly and you may initially notice some stiffness in the extremities such as the wrists, hands and feet. This normally occurs and is worst first thing in the morning however the stiffness tends to ease off as the day wears on. These episodes can be intermittent and can remain so for a period of time, however the frequency at which these occur will increase with time. As RA begins to progress the individual will be aware of swelling and pain in the affected joints. it is also important to understand that in some cases albeit less common, some individual's may experience symptoms much faster. Who gets RA? The current statistics are that 1% of the global population suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It can affect anyone including children, however about 70% of people with RA are women. The onset of the disease usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 years. While the female population are up to 3 times more likely to get RA than males, the male sufferers of RA seem to be far more affected when they get it. What are the joint symptoms of RA?
Other Symptoms: These are symptoms that tend to occur outside the joints and include:
Cartilage and Bone Destruction. If the joint inflammation persists then the destruction of cartilage and bone can occur. Once cartilage and bone destruction has occurred the joint will become deformed and immobile. These effects / deformity are mostly seen in the hands and feet, however the shoulders, hips and knees can also be affected. Hardened Lumps (Rheumatoid Nodules) Hardened lumps may develop underneath the skin and this affects approximately 25% of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. These hard lumps are known as Rheumatoid nodules and the development of these hardened lumps usually occurs in the later stages of the disease.
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