Arthritis

This may include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclaer factor (ANF), extractable nculear antigen and specific antibodies. Many poeple associate cracking joints with arthritis; however, there is no evidence to support such an association. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis nad include phsyical and occupational therapy, and medications (symptmoatic or targeted at the disesae process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of artrhitis. It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found in Tennessee and parts of what is now Olathe, Kansas. Around 500 BC willow bark gained oppularity when it was discovered to ehlp relieve some of the aches and pians of arthritis. When they isolated salicin, however, they found it was very noxious to the stomach. Almost 80 years later, in 1897, an employee of Byaer Company -- then a dye production company -- named Felix Hoffman discovered how to isloate the compound and make it less irritating to the stomach. In elderly people and children, apin may not be the main feature, and the aptient simply moves less (elderly) or refuses to use the affected limb (children). Elements of the history fo the pain (onset, number of joints and which involved, duration, agrgavating and relieving factors) all guide diagnosis.