Arthritis
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
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Women's Arthritis Roller Coaster
Menstrual Periods & Arthritis
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 Why do many women with arthritis feel worsening symptoms before and
during their monthly menstrual periods? During the course of any day in caring
for women with arthritis, it is not uncommon for a number of them to complain of a
monthly regular worsening of their joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. This is
not just a coincidence.
Many forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases are known to occur more
frequently in women than in men. Moreover, it is not unusual for the initial
presentation of these conditions to occur following a pregnancy. Why?
Researchers are finding that the immune system is influenced by signals from
the female reproductive hormones. It seems that the levels of hormones, such as
estrogen and testosterone, as well as changes in these levels can promote
autoimmunity. "Autoimmunity" is a condition whereby the immune system
(which normally wards off foreign invaders of the body, such as infections)
turns and attacks the body's own tissues, such as skin, joints, liver, lungs,
etc. Autoimmune diseases typically feature inflammation of various tissues of
the body.
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What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where
two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones.
Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.
Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is
referred to as arthralgia.
There are many types of arthritis (over 100 identified, and the number is growing). The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many types of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States.
The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), metabolic abnormalities (such as gout and pseudogout), hereditary factors, the direct and indirect effect of infections (bacterial and viral), and a misdirected immune system with autoimmunity (such as in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus).
Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognoses. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many have the potential to affect other internal body areas.
What are arthritis symptoms and
signs?
Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints.
Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint
stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be
present.
Many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases,
can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not
directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients
with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling
(swollen lymph nodes), weight loss,
fatigue, feeling unwell, and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
Next: Who is affected by arthritis? »
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