What is Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints of the bones. This disease causes swelling, pain and stiffness in one or more joints. Symptoms of arthritis usually get worse with age. There are over a hundred types of diseases that come under arthritis.The most common types of arthritis are osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the cartilage between the bones. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the joints. Another common form of arthritis is gout. This happens when there is excess uric acid in your blood which creates uric acid crystals. There are other types of arthritis that can affect other connective tissues and organs, such as your skin. Arthritis is a very common disease and one in five adults has it. Some common symptoms include stiffness, swelling, pain, redness, and decreased range of motion. Some people are more likely to develop arthritis. Genetics play a role in the development of the disease. If someone in your family has arthritis, you may be at risk. It is also possible to develop arthritis in a single joint, if you have injured it before. Obese people are also at risk because their excess weight puts increased pressure on their joints. There are several ways to detect and diagnose arthritis. Your doctor or rheumatologist should recommend a CT scan (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, or x-ray. There are several ways to treat this condition, the most common being with medication. Medicines can also be prescribed in conjunction with physical therapy. In extreme cases, you may be asked to have surgery to improve your condition.
Arthritis Causes & symptoms
There are several forms of arthritis, only one cause is unknown. However, several factors can lead to arthritis.
Age: As you get older, your joints tend to wear down.
Gender: With the exception of gout, the most common types of arthritis are more common in women.
Being overweight: Weighting more than normal can put stress on your joints. This can increase your risk of developing arthritis.
Genetics: If a member of your family has the disease, you are prone to having it because certain genes are linked to common arthritis.
Injury: If you injure your joints, you may get arthritis in the same joint that you damaged.
Infection: Bacteria, viruses or fungi can inflame the joint.
Work: If you put daily pressure on your joints (such as your knees and elbows) for your work, you are at risk for arthritis.
There are several symptoms of arthritis. These symptoms can occur to varying degrees. They can be constant or come and go. The symptoms are:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Difficulty moving
- Having problems doing daily chores
Prevention & Myths
There is no specific way to prevent arthritis, however, you can try to prevent it by taking the following into consideration:
Exercise: Exercising regularly can keep your joints healthy and flexible.
Watch your weight: try not to put on extra weight as it puts pressure on your joints. Pay attention to your diet, exercise regularly to avoid putting on pounds.
Use assistive devices: Using devices that increase your ability to perform daily tasks like walkers, canes, and raised toilet seats can protect your joints from wear and tear.
Myth: arthritis is a disease of the elderly
Fact: It may be more common in older people, but children and working-age adults can develop the disease as well.
Myth: if my parents have arthritis, I will have it
Fact: If your immediate family has arthritis, you are at risk of developing the disease. However, you can avoid it by taking care of your joints by exercising regularly.
Myth: if you have arthritis, there is nothing you can do about it
Fact: If you have arthritis, you can start making small lifestyle changes to make sure your condition doesn't get worse. Getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and using assistive devices can help improve the way you live.
Myth: exercising quickly wears out joints
Fact: It's actually the opposite. Regular exercise can build muscles that support your joints. However, before doing a very intensive exercise, you should consult a physiotherapist. This is because you can end up leaving some muscles underdeveloped, which can put pressure on your joints.
Myth: breaking your joints can cause arthritis
Fact: There is no evidence or research to support the statement. Breaking your knuckles releases air bubbles trapped between the joints. These bubbles take a few seconds to reform.
Myth: dietary changes can reverse arthritis
Fact: Eating specific foods or cutting something out of your diet will not reverse your condition. However, exercising and watching your weight can help improve your condition.
Arthritis Treatment
Treatments for arthritis aim to reduce your symptoms and improve your daily life. It is often recommended that you use a combination of several treatments to quickly improve your condition.
Medications:
Painkillers: These will be prescribed to reduce pain but will have no effect on inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
These are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
Counter-irritants:
Rubbing such creams or gels on the discomfort area can provide temporary relief as they interrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs:
These drugs prevent the immune system from attacking the joints. This is prescribed in case of rheumatoid arthritis.
Biological response modifier:
These are genetically modified drugs used in conjunction with DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) to ensure that the immune system does not attack the joints.
Corticosteroids:
These reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. This can be prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Therapy:
In order to ensure that you don't gain weight and continue to build muscle to support your joints, seeking physical therapy also becomes necessary. In some cases of arthritis, certain exercises can help restore your range of motion.
Surgery: In very extreme cases, surgery may be suggested. The types of surgery you may need to have are:
Joint repair: Sometimes the surface of a joint can be smoothed out. This will reduce pain and increase range of motion.
Joint replacement: In this procedure, the joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint.
Joint fusion: Often used for small joints (such as those in the fingers), this procedure removes the ends of two bones in the joint. After which, the ends are locked together so that they merge as one unit.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for further details.
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