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.
 
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