Joint Pains Can Be Caused by Venereal Diseases or Other Infections

Doctors used to think that there were two major types of chronic joint pains. In one type, called reactive or rheumatoid arthritis, there is an immune or infectious reaction that damages joints. The other type, called osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, there is a wearing away of cartilage, the white gristle that covers bones where they come together to form joints.

Often, but not always, osteoarthritis is characterized by swelling of the joints near the fingernails, while immune types of arthritis are characterized by swelling of the joints in the middle of the fingers and knuckles. People with degenerative arthritis usually have negative blood tests for arthritis which measure increased immunity against infections, while those with reactive or rheumatoid arthritis often have some positive blood tests.

Myriad bacteria and viruses can cause arthritis, and antibiotics are often effective in controlling symptoms. Retroviruses can be found in joint fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Venereal diseases, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, gonorrhea and Gardnerella cause arthritis, and the practicing physician has no available tests that are dependable in diagnosing these infections.

Even when doctors treat infectious arthritis with massive intravenous doses of antibiotics for 10 weeks, the germs can persist in the joint fluid. Patients with supposedly non-infectious osteoarthritis can have C-reactive protein in joint fluid, signifying an infection. Long-term antibiotics are often effective in controlling the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, while short-term antibiotics are usually ineffective. The antibiotic, doxycycline may prevent joint destruction by stabilizing cartilage in addition to clearing the germ from the body.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com For journal references on this article see reports #J106 and J159. Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints and other parts of the body. Arthritis is actually more than 100 different diseases and affects one out of every 7 people of all ages. People with arthritis experience pain and loss of movement and function. Arthritis can be very disabling and is a lifelong disease, but can go into remission. Each type of arthritis is different and has a different cause.
Literally means joint inflammation. Can be used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.
Inflammation of a joint. An increase in the amount of synovial fluid in the joint is a result of this inflammation. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the fetlock joint is called a "wind puff" or "wind gall." In young horses, a swelling in the fetlock joint, particularly on the front of the joint where the cannon and long pastern bones meet, is called a "green osselet." This swelling is a result of inflammation and reactive changes of the front edges of these two bones and adjacent cartilage.