The information is by no means exhaustive and should not substitute for a consultation with your health care provider. It is also not responsible for any misinformation that may appear herein. Anyone and almost everyone. Arthritis is not a condition linked exclusively with ageing, for the most common and serious forms often begin in young adults. It is a little known fact that rheumatic disease is an important cause of disability in Singapore today and affects approximately half a million people.
Arthritis means inflammation of a joint.
An inflamed joint is usually red, swollen, warm and painful. Rheumatism is a general term which includes not only problems with the joints, but any problem affecting the muscles or soft tissue of the body. Some of the areas associated with rheumatism include muscle strain, sprains, lumbago, sciatica, whiplash injury, disc disease, tendinitis, bursitis and fibrositis. Some types of arthritis and rheumatism can be prevented and effective treatment is available for all forms of these diseases. Some of the most common are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and gout.