Arthritis 5

My essay is on arthritis.   I have chosen this topic because I have arthritis.   My arthritis is a component of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).   The correct meaning of arthritis is joint inflammation and it can affect joints in any part of the body.   Joints are the places in the body where two bones meet.   When you have arthritis, damage is caused to the joints and mostly occurs in the hands, arms and legs.   The inflammation in one or more of the joints results in pain, swelling and limited movement.   Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in those over the age of 65 and it generally affects people from the age of 60.   However, arthritis can occur in people of all ages including children.   About 37 million people in the United States alone have some form of arthritis.   There are many different forms of arthritis each of which has a different cause but unfortunately, they all cause pain. These diseases include osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but there are about 100 different forms of arthritis.   The most common forms of arthritis are:
• Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.   It occurs when the cartilage covering the end of the bones gradually wears away.   Without the protection of the cartilage, the bones begin to rub against each other and the resulting rubbing leads to pain and swelling.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is one of many ailments of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases.   In autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect.   This leads to inflammation and damage to various body tissues.   Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever,... [continues]

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