Arthritis: Definition, Causes, and Management

Meaning 1：joint inflammation (arthritis)

arthritis 🔊

/ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs/

A disease that makes your joints hurt, swell, get stiff, and sometimes turn red.

joint inflammation 🔊

➕

/dʒɔɪnt ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

A medical condition characterized by inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, often chronic and affecting mobility.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'arthron' (joint) + '-itis' (inflammation).

💡 Mnemonic

Break it down: 'arthro' for joint, 'itis' for inflammation – arthritis is joint inflammation.

📖 Example

My grandmother has arthritis in her hands, so knitting is much more difficult for her now. 🔊 My grandmother suffers from arthritis in her hands, making knitting a greater challenge.

🔗 Collocations

rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disease causing chronic joint inflammation.

osteoarthritis – Degenerative joint disease due to wear and tear on cartilage.

suffer from arthritis – To experience the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain and stiffness.

🔄 Synonyms

rheumatism (n.) – A general term for conditions involving pain and inflammation in joints and muscles.

joint inflammation (n.) – Inflammation specifically affecting the joints, similar to arthritis.

arthropathy (n.) – Any disease or disorder of the joints, including arthritis.

🌱 Derivatives

arthritic (adj.) – Relating to or affected by arthritis; characterized by joint inflammation.

arthritically (adv.) – In a manner related to or resembling arthritis.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Greek, 'arthritis' literally means joint inflammation. It is a common term in rheumatology and geriatric care, frequently discussed in health contexts to describe age-related or autoimmune joint disorders.