Arthritis Foundation Malaysia
Series of articles related to arthritis.
An physically active twelve-year old girl felled by almost continuous fever for a month; an 11-year old boy whose feet and heels began to hurt, then swell, along with his knees. A 2 year old toddler who was often ill with fever, and then, began limping even before she could really even toddle. Disparate symptoms…
CARE FOR THE FEET Did you know: The foot is a complex structure with 26 bones and 33 joints layered with an intertwining web of 126 muscles, ligaments and nerves The average person spends 4 hours on their feet The foot takes an average of between 8,000 and 10,000 steps each day The foot takes…
As arthritis, especially RA, affects many people in the prime of their lives, one of the major concerns of patients is whether they can lead a normal life and have a career like other people. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions: Can I work if I have arthritis? Yes,…
You’ve got arthritis? I know this really good sinseh who has cured hundreds of arthritic patients!? Surely this is not unfamiliar to people suffering from arthritis. From herbs prescribed by sinsehs to foot patches to homeopathy, alternative treatments have been around for as long as there is medicine. The question is, how safe and effective…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease that exists throughout the world. It affects about 5 in 1000 people in Malaysia.
RA is a complicated disease that can vary a great deal from person to person. This article is only a guide. Please use it to understand your disease better but remember that everything that is written here may not apply to you.
What is RA?
What Is Arthritis?
“Arthritis” and “Rheumatism” are 2 words with different meanings that often confuse people. Essentially, they are separate terms with a minor degree of overlap between them. “Arthritis” means disease of or damage to the joints. Rheumatism is a more general term used to describe any pain in or around your bones, muscles and joints. The term “rheumatic diseases” is used to refer to all types of arthritis and rheumatism.
Gout is one of the oldest types of arthritis that affects mankind. It has been known since before the days of Christ. Gout is also one of the commonest types of arthritis. It causes inflammation of the joint, with swelling, warmth, redness and pain. Nowadays, due to advances in medical research, gout can be well controlled. If the correct treatment program is followed, gout becomes an easily manageable illness.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is probably the most common cause of limb joint and spine arthritis in the human race. The prevalence of OA is in the region of 10-20% of the adult population. In the United States it has been estimated that more than one billion US dollars are spent annually on surgery of joint disease, the majority of these are due to OA. Similarly the health and economic impact in other countries are as dramatic. Our own gradually ageing population is not spared. The most common form of OA in Malaysia is knee OA.
When you are first told that your child has arthritis, you may feel shocked, numb or guilty, asking yourself if it was something you did or didn’t do to cause your child’s arthritis. Your child may also feel sad and confused. Some may blame the parents; others engage in self-pity, or become angry because of…