There are many myths surrounding arthritis, and the most common is the myth that only older people can suffer from arthritis. This is not true. Juvenile arthritis is the name given to arthritis which affects young people, which shows that you cannot be ‘too young’ to be affected by the illness. (more…)

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). The excess uric acid forms painful crystals (tophi) in joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, causing recurring attacks of red, tender, hot, swollen and extremely painful joints, usually the joint at the base of the big toe. Other joints such as the ankles, heels, knees, fingers and wrists can also be affected, and crystals occasionally appear in the kidneys. Fatigue and fever sometimes accompany gout attacks. (more…)

A large stage three trial of an experimental rheumatoid arthritis medication, tasocitinib, has met two important goals – the drug provided an improvement in signs and symptoms of the disease in study participants, and it improved their ability to function physically. The study also made some progress towards a third goal – disease remission.  “When it works, it really works,” enthused primary investigator Dr. Roy Fleischmann of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, “This is the first oral medication for rheumatoid arthritis that has had a successful phase three study this century.”
(more…)

There are over 100 types of arthritis, defined as the breakdown and wearing away of cartilage (protein-like cushion) between the joints caused by inflammation. Osteoarthritis arthritis, also called degenerative arthritis or just OA, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 20 million Americans. Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men as we age, and over 30 percent of American females have some form of it by 65. (more…)