Although symptoms may vary depending on the type of the disease, some of the most common signs of arthritis include:

- Pain and swelling within the joint

- Redness of the skin near the affected joints

- Stiffness

- Tenderness

- Warm skin near the affect joints

Other signs may include fever, a rash, and unexplained fatigue.

Causes

The many types of arthritis are caused by several different factors, most of which are still unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, occurs when the body’s white blood cells move from the bloodstream, where they should be to attack and destroy bacteria or viruses, into the membranes within the lining of the joints called the synovium. The presence of the white blood cells causes the synovium to become inflamed, which releases proteins that over time, thicken the synovium and damage the joint’s nearby cartilage, bones, tendons and ligaments.

Osteoarthritis is caused by an erosion of the protective cushioning between the bones and the joints. Over time, the smooth surface of the cartilage is worn away, becoming uneven and rough and causing painful irritation. If the cartilage is completely worn down, there may be bone-on-bone contact, causing damage to the bones and even more pain.

Doctors believe that osteoarthritis is caused by several factors, such as the inevitable aging process, being overweight, excessive stress on the bones and joints, injury to the joints, weak muscles, and heredity. Several tests and examinations may be required for an accurate diagnosis of arthritis. Pain, swelling, difficulty moving, and stiffness within the joints are all common signs of the disease, although to establish which type of arthritis is present, different diagnostic tests may be necessary.

Some of these tests may include:

- Blood tests

- Complete family and personal medical history

- Joint aspiration (removing fluid from a joint for testing)

- Physical examination

- Urine tests

- X-rays

Treatment

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are various treatment methods available that are tailored to the specific type of the disease. For mild osteoarthritis, rest, exercise, weight management, and seeking physical therapy are most recommended. Both hot and cold can be used to manage pain within the joints, as heat reduces stiffness while cold helps to relieve muscle spasms.

Over-the-counter medication in the form of creams and gels may also be helpful for providing temporary relief from mild to moderate pain. These topical medications tend to work best on those joints that are near the surface of the skin, such as those in the hands and fingers, feet, and knees.

Acupuncture is good for many types of chronic pain, including arthritis. And Believe it or not, drinking more water with a little salt can help ease the pain. Consult your doctor for your various treatment options.

Prevention

While there is no way to actually prevent arthritis, there are still many ways of preventing permanent joint damage from occurring. Early treatment including medication and therapy, if needed, are essential for warding off the degenerative effects of the disease. Exercise is touted as an excellent way for strengthening joints and minimizing the stiffness that’s often caused by arthritis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a yeast infection will vary depending on the location of the body that’s affected. Oral candidiasis (oral? Yuck!), also known as thrush, causes white patches to appear over a bright red base that forms within the mouth on the tongue and palate or inside of the cheeks. Attempts to remove these white patches with a tissue, or cotton applicator, or some type of medical instrument, may cause the area to bleed and become more painful.

Vaginal yeast infections may cause a discharge, itching, irritation and discomfort, while infections on the skin, as in the case of diaper rash, may cause the area to appear bright red, peel, and be very painful to the touch.  In extreme cases when the infection has spread through the bloodstream and into the brain, fever may be present as well as changes in mental behavior or functioning.

Causes

Yeast infections in women are most often caused by the use of antibiotics or steroids, or may be due to conditions such as menstruation and pregnancy, as well as diabetes. Birth control pills and a reaction to sperm may also contribute toward the growth of a yeast infection. The clothing that women wear also has an affect. Tight fitting and/or dirty clothes that collect heat and moisture will many times result in an infection (So stay away from hookers in Hawaii). It is best to wear cotton underwear. Give yourself room to breathe and keep them clean. Change and wash your underwear regularly.

Yeast infections, either oral, vaginal or skin, may also be more common in people with weakened immune systems caused by cancer treatments, steroid use, or diseases such as AIDS or HIV. The fungus may spread throughout the entire body, a possibly life-threatening condition, and most often affects the blood, heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. Candida may also cause an inflammation in the throat known as esophagitis in people whose immune systems are compromised.

Dirty hypodermic needles or poorly implanted devices such as urinary catheters or intravenous ports may also allow yeast to enter the body causing an infection.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a vaginal yeast infection, a complete gynecological exam is necessary. In the case of infections that are persistent or involve other areas of the body, more extensive laboratory tests may be needed such as blood and imaging tests including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan. To detect the presence other types of yeast infections, usually a quick examination of the skin or mouth are all that’s needed to confirm the diagnosis. If there is any doubt, a scraping of the area may be done to collect cells for examination under a microscope.

Treatment and Prevention

Yeast infections on the skin can usually be treated with an over-the-counter remedy, such as one of the many anti-fungal lotions and creams available.  For vaginal yeast infections, medications containing miconazole, tioconazole, butoconazole, or clotrimazole, which are also in over-thecounter products, should be effective at clearing up the infection without the need for medical treatment.

For the treatment and prevention of thrush, swishing the mouth with the antifungal agent nystatin may help to clear the infection, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene practices to prevent a reoccurrence. For more serious infections that are throughout the system, antibiotics may need to be administered intravenously.

Cure your yeast infections

Yes! I made it. It was a lil touch and go for awhile there. Almost threw up a few times. Yeast infections are certainly no laughing matter, but I’m a guy.