What is arthritis and rheumatism?
Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the body, though the term is used to describe almost all problems associated with the joints. You may have heard of arthritis referred to as rheumatism. Rheumatism is a term that most people are familiar with, it is a very general term used to describe any aches and pains in the bones, muscles and joints. The word rheumatism is usually used when no specific arthritis or disease can be found as the cause of the person’s symptoms.Rheumatic disease refers to any type of arthritis, rheumatism or musculoskeletal disease. There are over 100 conditions altogether, some rare and some common. Arthritis can affect anyone of any age, including children, however, arthritis tends to affect women more than men. What are joints? Joints join one bone to another and are designed to allow bones to move more freely. At the ends of the bones, the joints are cushioned by a firm, rubbery material called cartilage. As we get older this cartilage becomes m
