What to Know about Reactive Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common medical condition, affecting people of almost all ages. But no matter how popular this illness appears to be, only a few know its various types. Among its many kinds is the reactive arthritis, one which is formed due to a reaction of an infectious microorganism such as bacteria. This develops on parts wherein microorganisms are abundant, such as the genital and bowel areas. Patients of this disease may experience stiffness, pain, and swelling on their ligaments, spine and lower limbs.

Although your immune system adjusts to deal with the infection normally, it is absolutely necessary to seek for medical treatment if you keep on experiencing reactive arthritis for a span of months or years.
The Cause
Many of the viral infections can lead to reactive arthritis; however, scientists are still not completely sure about the relationship of the bacteria and the cause of the arthritis itself. Essentially, the term reactive arthritis refers to the symptoms which were developed after having bowel infections brought by germs like Shigella and Salmonella or genital infections due to trachomatis and Chlamydia.
People at Risk
Those who are more disposed to having reactive arthritis are males of ages twenty to fifty. People who have bowel or genital infections are likely to develop reactive arthritis by ten to twenty percent as well. Furthermore, those who have HIV/AIDS are at an even greater risk towards having the disease.
Characteristics
In some cases, reactive arthritis was linked to other symptoms such as conjunctivitis, genital ulcers, skin rashes and cervicitis. In general however, indications of reactive arthritis are stiffness, swelling and pain of knee joints, ankles, and sometimes including fingers and elbows.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis relies on the temporal association or time when arthritis has developed and on joint involvement pattern. Bacterium identification, which can only be conducted by bacterial culture, is important as well in making diagnosis.
Prevention and Treatment
There are plenty of treatments available nowadays for reactive arthritis.
One of the most common medications are non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), used for treatments of acute inflammations. Some examples of these drugs are Naproxen Celecoxib (Celebrex), Sodium (Aleve), and Diclofenac (Voltaren) which are often dozed to its maximum due to their capability to provide relief from pain. These drugs on the other hand, do not really cure the arthritis itself.
Other essential medications for reactive arthritis are antibiotics. This medicine helps in destroying harmful microorganisms such as Chlamydia. Since genital infections are also contagious, sexual partners must also consider taking medications. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs such as Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine are also used to cure chronic reactive arthritis. These medicines can help eliminating the disease but take some time to fully give cure.
Another effective and safe way of treating reactive arthritis is by herbal therapy. These natural supplements are strongly recommended not only because they effectively reduce and remove the symptoms such as pain, inflammation, joint stiffness and tenderness but also because they provide the medical benefits without harming your health. One of the best natural arthritis relief available today is Provailen.
Unlike the majority of drugs, Provailen has no side effects, while effectively relieves arthritis inflammation and stops arthritis pain at the source. What makes this one of the best options for dealing with arthritis is that it is safe and effective for people of all ages so that you can get the results you’re looking for regardless of why you’re suffering from arthritis in the first place.





