Polyarthritis
While many people search for information about Polyarthritis it is not a type of
arthritis but rather a description of some types of arthritis. Polyarthritis means
involving more than one joint. Some types of arthritis such as Rheumatoid arthritis,
Psoriatic arthritis, Lupus and Gout almost always include multiple joints. Osteoarthritis
can involve more than one joint but many times trauma or overuse of a joint can cause this
type of arthritis in just one joint.
Symptoms of Polyarthritis
The most obvious symptom of Polyarthritis is pain, inflammation and or swelling in
multiple joints. The term Polyarthritis is usually given to auto-immune types of
arthritis. An auto-immune disease is where your bodies on immune system starts attacking
itself. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and lupus are auto-immune disease that
not only involves the joints but also can involve many organs as well.
Rheumatoid arthritis as a form of Polyarthritis
Immune system attacks the lining, or synovial membrane, of the joints. Joint
damage can become severe and deforming. Involves the whole body, and may also cause
fatigue, weight loss and anemia, and affect the lungs, heart and eyes. Affects about 2.1
million Americans, three times more women than men.
Psoriatic Arthritis as a form of Polyarthritis
Bone and other joint tissues become inflamed, and, like rheumatoid arthritis, it can
affect the whole body. Affects about 5 percent of people with psoriasis, a chronic skin
disease. Likely to affect fingers or spine. Symptoms are mild in most people but can be
quite severe. Affects about 160,000 Americans.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a form of Polyarthritis
Involves skin, joints, muscles, and sometimes internal organs. Symptoms usually appear
in women of childbearing age but can occur in anyone at any age. Also called lupus or SLE,
it can be mild or life threatening. Affects at least 131,000 Americans, nine to ten times
as many women as men. |
