Q. I’m pretty sure I have arthritis in my knee. Is there any danger this will spread?

Arthritis, which comes in different forms, is inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout are the three most common forms of arthritis among seniors. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent. But no form of arthritis is contagious.

Osteoarthritis

You get osteoarthritis when cartilage – the cushioning tissue within the joints – wears down. This produces stiffness and pain. The disease affects both men and women. In fact, more than 50 percent of people 65 and older have osteoarthritis in at least one joint.

You can get osteoarthritis in any joint, but it usually strikes those that support weight. Common signs of osteoarthritis include joint pain, swelling and tenderness. However, only a third of people whose X-rays show osteoarthritis report any symptoms.

Treatments for osteoarthritis include exercise, joint care, dieting, medications and surgery. For pain relief, physicians usually start with acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol, because the side effects are minimal. If acetaminophen does not relieve pain, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may be used.

Many who say the supplements can relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis use the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA, which is characterized by inflammation of the joint lining, is very different from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the immune system turns against the body. It not only affects the joints, but may also attack other parts of the body such as the lungs and eyes. In addition, people with RA may feel sick.

There’s symmetry to RA as well. For example, if the right knee is affected, it’s likely the left knee will suffer, as well. And women are much more likely than men to get rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatments for RA include exercise, medication and surgery. Reducing stress is also important.

Some drugs for RA relieve pain, and others reduce inflammation. And then there are the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can often slow the disease. New drugs, called biological response modifiers, serve as a new weapon against RA as they can dramatically reduce joint damage in some cases.

Gout

Gout usually attacks at night. Stress, alcohol, drugs or an illness can trigger gout. It’s caused by a build-up of crystals of uric acid in a joint. Uric acid is in all human tissue and is found in foods.

Often, gout affects joints in the lower part of the body such as the ankles, heels, knees and especially the big toes. The disease is more common in men. Early attacks usually subside within three to 10 days, even without treatment, and the next attack may not occur for months or even years.

Most people with gout are able to control their symptoms with treatment. The most common treatments are high doses of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroids, which are taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint. Patients often begin to improve within a few hours of treatment.

With experience as a freelance writer and publicist for major pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer, Fred Cicetti is now a New Jersey-based columnist writing about a variety of senior health issues. His opinions and views do not necessarily reflect those of Therapy Times or Valley Forge Publishing Group. Questions or comments can be directed to editorial@TherapyTimes.com.

All Rights Reserved © 2006 by Fred Cicetti