Health
Knee-Deep in Pain
Knees carry a lot of weight when we run, climb the stairs, and bend to get something. Thus it's not surprising that we have sayings like, "When you age, the knees are the first to go" and "I'm feeling weak in my knees." Knees are also prone to injuries and diseases.
Arthritis: There are two major types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Anyone who lives long enough will experience osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear of the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, disabling disease of the immune system that causes discomfort and swelling in nonspecific joints, nerves, muscles, tendons, blood vessels and connective tissues. It strikes at any age, occurring mainly in the 25-to-40 age group. It can attack only once in a lifetime, or it could be a long-term and progressive disease.
Lupus: Basically an auto-immune disease that mainly affects the knee joints when our immune system is out of control and instead of attacking germs, it strikes at healthy tissues. It's not contagious, but is hereditary.
Victims react differently. One may suffer from swollen knees and fever. Another may feel fatigue while others break out in rashes.
Lupus is also called the "great imitator." Patients may just have a couple of the signs and symptoms include a red rash or color change on the face, painful or swollen joints, chest pain with deep breathing, fever, swollen glands, fatigue, unusual hair loss, pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress, sensitivity to the sun, low blood count, depression and memory problems.
