The bones and joints of the body are constantly under strain, particularly when a person is moving or use the limbs. Fortunately the different types of joints in the body have the ability to bear the constant strain within certain limits. The joints are the meeting points between two bones that allow for movement of the human skeleton. Some joints allow for a larger degree of motion and flexibility than other joints in the body. It ensures that movement between the two bones is smooth and largely unrestricted without damaging the ends of the articulating bones.

continue reading Tips for Joint Relief and to Reduce Strain on the Joints

The neck is one of the most flexible parts of the human body allowing the head to move in many directions. It is highly muscular part of the body with only the vertebrae at the back providing stability. When the neck flexibility decreases, we often call it a stiff neck. Usually there is pain which worsens with moving the head and neck. Neck stiffness affects almost every person at some time or the other in their life. In most instance it is acute and passes in a few days with minimal treatment. Chronic cases need proper diagnostic investigation and medical treatment as there may be serious underlying muscular, joint and bone problems.

continue reading How to Ease a Stiff Neck

What is reactive arthritis?

Reactive arthritis is a condition of the joints that arises with gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections. It may also involve the skin and eyes. These manifestations at the joint, skin or eyes are not due an infection at these sites. Instead it is an immune response associated with an infection of the gut, urinary tract or reproductive organs and sometimes the respiratory system. Reactive arthritis tends to arise as late as 2 to 4 weeks after the infection.

What is Reiter syndrome?

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiter syndrome, named after Hans Reiter who first described the condition in 1916. However, the term reactive arthritis is preferred over Reiter syndrome. In fact Reiter syndrome is one specific type of reactive arthritis where there is inflammation of the joint (arthritis), eye (conjunctivitis) and urethra (urethritis) in Shigella dysentery. In reactive arthritis the joint alone may be involved at times and there are various other bacteria that can serve as a trigger.

continue reading Reactive Arthritis (ReA) or Reiter Syndrome

Definition

Osteopetrosis is a group of disorders where bone resorption is impaired and the bones become denser than normal but are prone to fractures. It is also known as stone bone, marble bone disease and Albers-Schonberg disease. It should not be confused with osteoporosis, a more common condition where there is loss of bone mass and subsequent weakening of the bones. On the contrary, in osteoporosis there is an increase in bone mass yet the bones are more prone to fracture.

The effects of osteopetrosis extend beyond bone strength. There may also be disruption in bone marrow function, entrapment of nerves, delayed tooth eruption and abnormalities in growth. The condition can be present from infancy or develop later in life, and is sometime only incidentally discovered in adulthood. Overall, osteopetrosis is a rare condition. The more common and usually milder form that tends to develop in adolescence or early adulthood affects only about 1 in 20,000 people.

continue reading Osteopetrosis (Stone Bones, Marble Bone Disease)

Definition

Discitis, also spelled as diskitis, is a condition where the spaces between the spinal bones (vertebrae) becomes irritated and inflamed. There are spongy discs known as the intervertebral (IV) discs in the space between the vertebrae which assist with spinal flexibility and firmness and acts as a shock absorber. The tissue between the vertebrae is prone to infection, as is the vertebrae. When the bones are inflamed or infected, it is known as osteomyelitis. Discitis specifically refers to the tissue between the vertebrae, namely the intervertebral discs, although the infection also involves the space in the spinal canal and tissue surrounding the spine like the paraspinal muscles.
continue reading Discitis (Spinal Disc Infection)