ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a broad term that covers a group of over 100 diseases
- It has everything to do with your joints, the places where your bones connect includding
your wrists,knees, hips, or fingers - But some types of arthritis can also affect other connective tissues & organs, including
your skin
- About 1 out of 5 adults have some form of the condition.
- It can happen to anyone, but it becomes more common as you age
Causes
With many forms of arthritis the cause is unknown.
But some things can raise your chances of getting it.
- Age - As you get older, your joints tend to get worn down.
- Gender - Most types of arthritis are more common among women, except for gout which
men usually get
- Genes - Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitisare linked to
certain genes - Excess weight - Carrying extra pounds makes arthritis in the knee start sooner & get
worse faster
- Injuries -They can cause joint damage that can bring on some types of the condition
- Infection -Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can infect joints & trigger inflammation
- Work - If you go hard on your knees at work or do knee bends & squats, you might be more likely to get osteoarthritis
Symptoms
Arthritis mainly causes pain around your joints. You might also have:
- One or more joints that are swollen or stiff
- Joints that look red or feel warm to the touch
- Tenderness
- Trouble moving
- Problems doing everyday tasks
- The symptoms can be constant, or they may come & go
- They can range from mild to severe
- More severe cases may lead to permanent joint damage
Types of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis
are the most common kinds of Arthritis.
- In osteoarthritis,the cushions on the ends of your bones, called cartilage, wear away.
- That makes the bones rub against each other.
- You might feel pain in your fingers, knees, or hips.
- It usually happens as you age.
- But if underlying causes are to blame, it can begin much sooner.
- For example, an athletic injury like a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or a fracture
near a joint can lead to arthritis.
Symptoms generally include joint pain & stiffness
- Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling & decreased range of motion of
the affected joints - In some types, other organs are also affected
- Onset can be gradual or sudden
Rheumatoid Arthrisis a disease where the body’s
immune system attacks its own tissues.
This can damage the joint surface and underlying bone.
- RA mostly targets your fingers, thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, feet & ankles.
- It can give you pain, swelling, stiffness & trouble with moving.
You may also have:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Eye inflammation
- Bumps under the skin called nodules
- Lung inflammation
Gout
- Gout is another form of arthritis that can be very painful.
- Uric acid buildup in the body causes needle-like crystal deposits to form in your joints.
- You might notice lumps under your skin called tophi.
- A lot of people see the first symptom of gout in their big toe, which can get swollen, sore,
red & warm.
Other areas that Gout can attack include:
- Foot instep
- Ankles
- Heels
- Knees
- Wrists
- Fingers
- Elbows
Bouts of Gout can come & go
- The pain might become constant if you don't get the condition treated.
- You can treat it with medication, but you’ll also need to control your weight, limit alcohol
& cut down on meats & fish that have chemicals called purines.
Other forms include:
- Ankylosing spondylitis affects the spine.
- Lupus is a long lasting, autoimmune diseasethat can damage almost any part of the
body, including joints and skin. - Psoriatic arthritis is related to the skin condition, psoriasisl. It’s often mild, but can
sometimes be serious.
When to See a Doctor
You might have occasional muscle or joint pain.
That’s OK. But get help from your doctor if:
- The pain, swelling, or redness isn’t going away.
- Your symptoms get worse quickly.
- You have relatives with autoimmune disorders.
- You’ve got relatives with other arthritis-related diseases.
Don’t ignore joint pain.
- In some cases, it can cause damage that can’t be reversed, even with treatment.
- When in doubt, talk to your doctor.
How It's Diagnosed
Your doctor or an arthritis specialist called a rheumatologist will:
- Ask for your medical and family history.
- Give you a physical exam.
- Look for tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth & loss of motion in the joints.
- Take samples of your joint fluid & test them.
- Do imaging scans, which may include X-rays, MRI or ultrasounds.
Treatments
- You doctor can help you manage your pain, prevent damage to the affected joint & keep inflammation at bay.
Your doctor might recommend:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Splints or other aids
- Weight loss
- In rare cases, surgery
The types of medicines your doctor might suggest are:
- Painkillers: over-the-counter or prescription.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Biologics: drugs made from a living organism to mimic your body’s response to diseases.
- Steroids to cut down on inflammation.
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): meds that slow or stop inflammation.
Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, yoga
& before you try them or any supplements or herbal remedies.
Manage Your Arthritis
Here’s what you can do to keep the condition in check.
- Educate yourself. Take a self-management course to learn specifics on day-to-day
arthritis care.
- Get active. Exercise can help you move better, lessen pain & put off disability.
- Watch your weight. Extra pounds raise your chances of related health problems.
- Don't put off treatment. The sooner you're treated, the more likely you are to avoid permanent joint damage.
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