15/02/06. Several types of arthritis exist, but in the all of them the first symptom is articular pain that become acute with rest and causes rigidity and difficulty to initiate movements.

Doctor Juan Angulo Solimano, president of the la Liga Panamericana de Sociedades de Reumatología (Panlar) (Pan-American Rheumatology Societies) emphasizes the necessity to identify the type of arthritis that each person suffers, preferably from its inception, so that the rheumatologist can indicate the most suitable treatment.

"A great number of arthritis is caused by the concurrence of genetic and environmental factors that determine that the immunological system attacks the joints. The greater incidence occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and in that group rheumatoid arthritis is frequent as well as those that accompany diseases such as Lupus Erithematosus, dermato-polymyositis (DM/PM) and scleroderma", stated doctor Angulo.

On the other hand, the rheumatologist Manuel Ferrandiz Zavaler, of the Japanese-Peruvian Policlinic, indicates that "rheumatoid arthritis destroys the joints and leads to deformations in more advanced cases. Sometimes the patient perceives an improvement, but soon feels that the disease is reactivated ".

In addition, doctor Ferrandiz stated there can be fever, anemia and systemic issues such as: neuropathies, pleurisies, pneumonia with pulmonary fibrosis, pericarditis, vasculitis and ocular commitment like scleritis and kerato-conjunctivitis or dry eye.

Concerning the use of Cat's Nail to alleviate pain, doctor Angulo clarifies that there has been good results in studies that have used the 'Uncaria tomentosa' in rheumatoid arthritis, and ' Uncaria guianensis' in knee arthrosis.

On the other hand, Angulo affirms that Glucosamine sulphate stops the destruction of the cartilage in arthrosis, although not in arthritis. But he warns: "many patients consume glucosamina hydro-chlorate, a different substance that has not been studied".

•  Patients should not be satisfied with the arthritis diagnose. They must ask what type of arthritis they have.

•  All intervention must be made before noble parts of the joints are destroyed.

•  Arthritis begins in the sinovial membrane, and in that tissue they can be cured. If that stage is surpassed, they destroy cartilage and bone, and there is no curative treatment.

•  If the chronic treatment of arthritis is interrupted, new inflammatory buds will take place and each bud will destroy the joints irreversibly. In rheumatic diseases treatments, medicines are applied, therapeutic physiotherapy, exercises and rest, as well as a balanced diet.