The best description of arthritis is that it is not just a single disease, it is a combination of joint diseases and joint pain. There are several types of arthritis and related ailments and it is the leading cause of disability in the US. It affects people of all ages, race and gender. Over 300 children and 50 million adults have different types of arthritis, but it is more common in the elderly and in particular, women.
Common symptoms of arthritis in joints include stiffness & a reduced range of motion, pain, and swelling around the joints. These symptoms are not permanent as they come and go, but they can remain this way for years before they get worse. When arthritis becomes worse, you can experience chronic pain. It can be tough to climb stairs and even perform simple daily routines. Once it gets to these levels, it can cause permanent changes to your joints.
You will notice some of these changes clearly in an X-ray test. Your joints will start to become knobby. In other forms of arthritis, the damage will not just be on the joints; it will extend to the lungs, eyes, heart, skin and kidney.
Different Types of Arthritis
Metabolic Arthritis
When the body breaks down purines, it forms uric acid. Uric acid is a common substance in different foods and our human body cells. There are two ways that the body can have high levels of uric acid. Either the body will produce more uric acid, or the body cannot get rid of the uric acid fast enough. When the levels of uric acid in the body builds up, needle-like crystals will be formed in the joints and you will easily experience a lot of pain.
Infectious Arthritis
Inflammation can be triggered in the joint by a fungus or a virus. Some of the bacteria that can affect the joints include shigella and salmonella which come from food contamination. It can also occur from gonorrhea and chlamydia from STD’s.
Inflammatory Arthritis
When the body's defensive system (the immune system) attacks the joints by mistake, it can cause uncontrolled inflammation that can lead to joint erosion and even damage more internal organs like the eyes. Some of the examples of inflammatory arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These tend to be some of the more severe forms of arthritis.
Degenerative Arthritis
The most common type of arthritis is osteoporosis. If the cartilage is worn off, bones rub off against each other causing stiffness swelling and a lot of pain. Once the joints operate like this for a long time, it becomes chronic. Some of the risk factors include injury, overweight, age and family history.
Frequently Asked Questions on Arthritis
Q: What are the most common types of arthritis?
A: In the US, the most common type of arthritis is osteoporosis. Others include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Q: What causes arthritis?
A: The primary reasons for arthritis are not known by experts, although there are a few exceptions. For instance, gout is caused by high levels of uric acid, and some infections also have known causes. Researchers are studying factors like lifestyle, genetic and the environmental factors that play a part of the risks that cause arthritis.
Q: What are some of the common symptoms of arthritis?
A: There are different symptoms for different forms of arthritis. Stiffness and pain in the joints are some of the shared symptoms in most of the various type of arthritis. In some forms of arthritis, the symptoms can form very quickly, while in others, they develop over time. Some symptoms come and go, and others are chronic. It all depends on the type of arthritis you have.
Q: How can I know that I am at risk of getting arthritis?
A: There are certain factors that can exhibit the development of arthritis. These factors are categorized into two: modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors. In modifiable risk factors, we have obesity, joint injuries, occupation, and infection; in non-modifiable, we have age, gender, and the genetic makeup. A combination or one of these factors can increase your chances of having arthritis. For instance, gout is common in men, and joint damage can cause the development of osteoporosis.
Q: Can children have arthritis?
A: Yes. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis/ juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JIA) is found in children. JIA can cause joint stiffness, swelling excessive pain. Arthritis can make it hard for a child to walk, dress or even play. Damages caused by JIA are permanent, this makes it crucial for an earlier diagnosis to be done to prevent permanent damage. These cases are admittedly rare though.
Q: Is it possible to have arthritis when you hear your knuckles crack?
A: There is no evidence that supports this statement. But if you have repeated injury in the joint, the joint can swell and cause damage to your cartilage which will lead to a degenerative joint arthritis
Q: Is it possible to prevent arthritis?
A: You can decrease your chances of getting arthritis in the following ways. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and watching your weight can minimize your chances of getting gout or osteoporosis. Taking precaution from injuries can also help.
Q: Do dairy and acidic foods worsen arthritis?
A: There are people who claim that acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges can worsen osteoporosis, but there is no evidence that supports this. Many of the foods that are being considered as dangerous are high in vitamins and nutrients. If you avoid them, you will be causing harm to your health because you won't be eating a balanced diet. The same applies to dairy. Even though some people avoid it, it is counter-productive because calcium helps to strengthen your bones is found in dairy foods.
Q: What can I do if I think I have arthritis?
A: If you notice joint pains, swelling and stiffness around or in your joints, contact your doctor to diagnose the condition you have. Several questions will be asked about your family history as well as blood tests, X-rays and physical exams. There are different forms of arthritis which can even occur at the same time. Different forms of arthritis can be diagnosed to determine the type of treatment you will get. If the doctor spots arthritis early enough, it assists in management.
Q: What kind of treatment is present for arthritis?
A: Controlling pain and minimizing the damage to the joints is the primary objective of arthritis treatments. Controlling inflammation is how inflammatory arthritis is treated. But in general, medication, physical therapy and in some cases surgery are the treatment methods used.
Q: How best can I manage arthritis?
A: Self-management involves what is done on a daily basis to stay healthy and manage the condition. When arthritis is managed well, it can help to reduce the pain and stiffness; the joint movements can be improved and even increase the rate of workplace productivity as the costs of treatments reduces.
Q: Can I exercise to help manage my arthritis?
A: Physical exercises are good for people with arthritis. It’s suggested that workouts should consist of strength training, flexibility, range of motion exercises and aerobic low impact work. Overall health will also be improved which will contribute to a more positive and productive attitude.
Q: What if I go to the gym and start feeling joint pains while I’m exercising?
A: First of all, it is normal to feel stiff and have joint pains while executing a exercise regimen. It can take approximately eight weeks for the joints to get used to the new physical activity, and this will yield a long-term pain relief. If something seems really wrong, see your doctor.
Q: What are some tips that I can use to manage my joint pains after my exercise program?
A: There are many ways you can work on your joint pain. Try these tips:
- Ensure that the shoes are fitting and they are comfortable.
- Do not over train, train at a considerable pace at a level where a conversation can be held.
- Warm up before an exercise and also stretch the body after a workout session.
- Change the exercises to avoid exerting a lot of pressure on some joints. For instance, aerobics one morning, and the next morning go swimming.
- Exercise less frequently until the join pains improve. Train for shorter periods of time with less intensity until the joints adjust.
Q: At what point can I see a doctor during my self-management plan?
A: If the following symptoms are experience, a checkup is necessary:
- Stabbing, constant and sharp pain.
- Pain that makes you limp.
- If swelling increases in the joints.
- If joints start to feel hot.
- Swelling or pain that does not improve even after resting, using cold packs or medication.
- Pain that extends for more than 2 hours after workout.
Q: How does overweight affect arthritis?
A: Losing weight is very important for people with arthritis. For people who are overweight, they exert a lot of pressure on the joints which can worsen the pain levels. If weight loss is adhered to, it reduces the levels of pain in the knees and hips. It becomes even easier to function much properly. Engage in low impact physical activities to lose weight.
