What is the Main Cause of Arthritis?
There are various causes of arthritis. They include Inflammatory arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Gout. The reasons for these forms vary based on the person.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and ligaments. The resulting swelling causes pain and stiffness in the joints. Often, these symptoms appear gradually over time. It is a chronic condition that affects the hips, knees, spine, elbows and hands.
As you get older, the risk for osteoarthritis increases. It can happen for a variety of reasons. Injury, joint abnormalities, and a heavy workload can all lead to joint damage. However, there are ways to prevent it from occurring.
A person with osteoarthritis should work with a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan. Pain relief may be aided by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or topical medications. There are also a number of exercises that can be done to help reduce the pain associated with the disease.
Physical activity can provide relief for arthritis-related pain. Exercise helps the muscles and bones stay flexible and can improve the joint’s stability. If you’re suffering from osteoarthritis, a physical therapist can help you create an exercise program tailored to your needs.
Joint injuries and abnormalities can also increase the risk of osteoarthritis. For example, sports such as basketball and football can put a lot of stress on the joints. In addition, people with congenital abnormalities are more susceptible to injury. Also, individuals who are overweight are at higher risk for the condition.
In some cases, a joint can be damaged by a septic infection. This can cause intense joint pain. Other causes of joint pain include gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Some people also have an immune system attack on their joints. Juvenile arthritis affects children and adolescents. While some types of arthritis can lead to remission, others cannot.
In general, pain is the most common symptom of arthritis. If you experience swelling, you should contact your doctor. X-rays can also be useful to diagnose the condition.
Your doctor can diagnose osteoarthritis by reviewing your medical history and performing an examination. A doctor can also use injections and other treatments to alleviate the pain. You may have to see an orthopaedic surgeon to determine the best treatment for your specific condition.
Inflammatory arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of an overactive immune system. It causes damage to joints, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues. There are various types of inflammatory arthritis, and they all cause permanent damage. However, the symptoms and treatment vary for each type of inflammatory arthritis.
Typical symptoms of inflammatory arthritis include joint pain and swelling. Inflammation may also be present in the skin, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Inflammatory arthritis is different from other forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Unlike these diseases, inflammatory arthritis has no known cure. But, early treatment can help reduce the progression of the disease. Early diagnosis can also prevent other complications.
Inflammatory arthritis affects people of all ages. Although it is more common in older adults, it can affect children and young people. It is thought to occur when the body’s immune system sends faulty messages to the immune cells. This causes the immune cells to thicken the synovium, the membrane that lines the joints. Chemicals in the synovium cause inflammation, which leads to redness and heat.
Inflammatory arthritis is typically accompanied by joint swelling, tenderness, and increased joint fluid. It can also cause loss of muscle and nerve function. The inflammation can also affect the heart, lungs, and other tissues of the body.
Inflammatory arthritis is classified into different types depending on its underlying aetiology. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. RA is characterized by morning stiffness, joint swelling, and warmth in the affected joints. Other symptoms include fever, organ damage, and joint pain.
RA can be treated through both short- and long-term approaches. Short-term methods include anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and physical therapy. Medications such as corticosteroids are not usually recommended, as they are considered a risk factor for side effects.
Depending on the severity of inflammatory arthritis, patients may require surgery to repair damaged joints. For more serious cases, surgery is often not necessary. During a flare, corticosteroid dose tapers are used to control symptoms.
Treatment for inflammatory arthritis is dependent on the person’s age, the type of arthritis, and the extent of the disease. Medical therapies can reduce inflammation and pain, and may also include physical therapy to improve mobility. Using assistive devices can also reduce the burden of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of joints. It can cause joint deformity and medical problems with the heart, nerves, and eyes.
Symptoms usually start with pain or stiffness. A patient with RA may also experience fatigue and unexpected weight loss. There are several causes of RA. Some of the most common are environmental and genetic. Other symptoms of RA include swelling, redness, and warmth in the joints.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often appear in both the hands and wrists. However, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other joints, such as the hips and knees. Depending on the type of RA, treatment is needed to reduce inflammation and the severity of the disease.
Early RA symptoms can be asymptomatic. The symptoms of RA can be confused with other diseases, such as viral illnesses. For example, a person who has a cold may experience pain in the joints.
During an initial physical examination, a doctor will check for any bumps under the skin or other signs of tenderness. An x-ray or blood test will help the doctor determine the causes of the pain. When a patient has rheumatoid arthritis, the joint’s lining is inflamed and the muscles are weakened.
A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in treating complex bone and joint disorders. RA is a chronic disease that is not curable. Treatments can involve a variety of medications to reduce pain and stop the inflammatory process. Patients can also make lifestyle changes to help control their arthritis.
People with RA need to avoid exercise and other activities that stress the affected joints. Instead, they should do small exercises daily. In addition, they should wear equipment designed to make life easier. They should maintain a healthy weight to reduce the stress placed on their joints.
While RA is a lifelong condition, there are ways to manage it. These include medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery. As more treatments become available, the outlook for RA improves.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be life-threatening if it is not treated. Joint surgery can be necessary to relieve the pain and disability associated with the disease.
Gout
Gout is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused by the presence of crystals of uric acid in your joints. This can lead to inflammation and destruction of the soft tissues around your joint. If you have a history of gout, you may want to speak with a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist can also help determine what is causing your gout.
The most common joints affected by gout are the feet, elbow, and ankle. However, other joints can be affected as well. You can prevent gout from affecting you if you live an active lifestyle.
Symptoms of gout may include pain in the affected joint, swelling, and redness. These symptoms usually start within the first three to ten days of a flare. There is a lot of variation in how a gout attack develops and how long it lasts. Without treatment, a gout attack can last up to a week.
Treatments for gout can involve medications that reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. Generally, these medications are effective and have few side effects. Other treatments are available, such as surgery. While a rheumatologist can determine if you need these treatments, you should still talk to your primary care provider.
Your gout treatment should begin by controlling the inflammation in the affected joint. You can do this by taking medication or using cold packs on the joint. Some patients find relief from local ice, which is placed on the affected joint for about 10 minutes at a time.
It is important to see your gout specialist as soon as you notice symptoms. Your GP may recommend a referral to a rheumatologist if you have a history of gout or if you have unclear symptoms.
If your gout doesn’t get better after two weeks, you may need to discuss treatment options with a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in gout and other forms of arthritis. They can give you a list of gout specialists in your area.
If you are prone to recurring gout attacks, you should seek treatment and make changes to your lifestyle to prevent further occurrences. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help reduce the amount of uric acid in your blood.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis