Arthritis
Arthritis means inflammation in a joint (the word arthron-is Greek for joint, while-itis means inflammation) producing pain, swelling, stiffness, redness and heat. There are very many different causes, ranging from a bacterial infection affecting one joint (called mono arthritis) producing a so-called septic arthritis, to the involvement of lots of joints (called polyarthritis) in association with auto-immune disorders such as ulcerative colitis (see large intestine in the digestive system) or with skin diseases such as psoriasis, when it is sometimes called arthritis mutilans (see the skin section). While it's important to treat the underlying cause, it is also necessary to treat the symptoms of pain and swelling using painkillers and where appropriate anti-inflammatory agents.
Juvenile chronic arthritis is the term used to describe arthritis occurring under the age of 16 and lasting for more than six weeks (in the US) and three months (in the UK). It most usually affects the joints of the hands and the wrists, though any joint can be affected. Some, particularly girls in their teens, go on to develop rheumatoid arthritis described in this section.
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