Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Treatment & Prevention,Treatment

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, and pain, stiffness, and swelling occur due to this condition. Several types of arthritis have been identified, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis. It can affect movement and the general health of the joints. Arthritis forms part of the Class 11 chapter Locomotion and Movement in Biology. Questions related to arthritis often come in competitive exams such as NEET, AIIMS, and paramedical. In this article, the various types of arthritis, their symptoms, and relevant details will be addressed.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis refers to pain or disease in the joint and forms the term for more than 100 types and associated conditions. When these symptoms appear in one or more joints, they are classified as arthritis. It is not a single disease but is a broad term for a range of joint disorders. In the UK, about 10 million people suffer from arthritis. People of any age, from toddlers to adolescents, may be affected although different types are much more common in older adults. The cause of arthritis has not been identified, but much is understood within the realm of medicines, especially over the past decades. Early treatment, especially in the case of inflammatory arthritis, has been impressive in keeping much of the forms of the condition at bay.

Read More:

• Locomotion and Movement
• Joints
• Disorders of Muscular and Skeletal System
• Neural Control and Coordination

Parts of a Joint

Joint soft tissues support and cushion your bones, preventing them from rubbing against one another. An essential component is cartilage, a type of connective tissue. Your joints can move easily and without resistance with its assistance.

Some joints have a synovial membrane, a cushioned fluid pocket that lubricates the joints. As with other joints, tendons and ligaments support your knees. Ligaments join one bone to another, whereas tendons join muscles to your bones.

Types of Arthritis

Generally, the term arthritis refers to the inflammation of joints. Several types are known, with their unique causes, symptoms, and forms of treatment. Some of the most common ones include;

1. Infectious Arthritis: An infection, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, causes infectious arthritis. A joint, commonly the knee, becomes infected when an infection from another region of the body moves there.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a protracted inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In certain people with the sickness, the skin, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels may be harmed in addition to other body systems.

3. Osteoarthritis: Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis, the most prevalent type of arthritis. It happens as a result of the deterioration of the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones over time.

4. Gout (Metabolic Arthritis): Anyone can develop gout, a common and complicated form of arthritis. Frequent discomfort in the big toe and rapid, severe flare-ups of swelling, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints are the main symptoms.

5. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: The most prevalent kind of arthritis in children under the age of 16 is rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Different arthritis types result in different symptoms. They might range from mild to severe, depending on the person. Joint discomfort might come and go or be constant. Typical symptoms include

• aches and redness

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Warmth

Symptoms of Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Joint pain

• Sensitivity

• Sharp pain originates from an infection or injury in another part of your body.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms could include:

• During at least six weeks, joint discomfort, swelling, and tenderness

• 30 minutes or more of morning stiffness

• Numerous joints are impacted particularly the tiny joints in your hands, wrists, and feet.

• Affected joints on both sides of the body are the same joints.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis signs and symptoms might include:

• Painful joint

• stiffness in the morning or during prolonged periods of sitting

• Touching the area causes pain because of the tenderness.

• The joint won't move through its complete range of motion, preventing movement.

• The joint may feel like it is grinding against something when it is grating.

Symptoms of Gout (Metabolic Arthritis)

In the affected joint(s), you can notice any of the following symptoms of a gout attack:

• A severe pain

• Redness

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• There is tenderness even to a light touch, like that of a bedsheet.

Symptoms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The following are the most typical indications and symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis:

• Pain: Even if your child doesn't express any joint pain, you might still notice that he or she limps, especially in the morning or right after a nap.

• Swelling: Although joint swelling is prevalent, it frequently manifests itself in larger joints like the knee.

• Stiffness: The patient may seem clumsier than normal, especially in the morning or right after naps.

• Rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever.

Arthritis Symptoms Causes

Numerous reasons can result in any form of arthritis. There could be a single cause or several, depending on the type or form of arthritis.

Possible causes could be:

• An accident that may cause degenerative arthritis.

• Both gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition illness can be brought on by an aberrant metabolism.

• Osteoarthritis can occur as a result of genetic predisposition.

• It is possible for an infection, such as Lyme disease, to cause arthritis symptoms.

• Dysfunction of the immune system, such as that which results in rheumatoid Arthritis and lupus.

• Numerous factors contribute to the majority of kinds of arthritis. Some, though, appear to arise suddenly and for no apparent reason.

The Risk Factors for Arthritis

For example, you are more prone to get arthritis:

Age: Your risk of developing arthritis increases as you become older.

Lifestyle: Your risk of developing arthritis is higher if you smoke or don't exercise.

Gender: Most types of arthritis affect more women than males.

Weight: Being overweight causes your joints additional stress, which can cause arthritis.

How is Arthritis Diagnosed

Consult a medical professional if you suspect you may have arthritis. Your symptoms will be discussed with you by the doctor, who will also ask how joint discomfort affects your daily activities. A physical examination will be conducted by your doctor, and it may involve the following:

• Evaluating the flexibility and range of motion in your joints.

• Any pain or oedema in the areas near joints.

• assessing your general health to see whether your symptoms could be brought on by a different illness.

Can Tests Detect Arthritis

Imaging exams provide your doctor with a greater understanding of your soft tissues, joints, and bones. An ultrasound, MRI, or X-ray can show:

• Joint discomfort may be brought on by bone fractures or dislocations.

• cartilage near your joints deteriorating

• injury to a muscle, ligament, or tendon close to a joint.

• inflammation of soft tissues

Can a Blood Test Detect Arthritis

Arthritis cannot be correctly diagnosed by a blood test. However, they can request blood work if they think you have gout or rheumatoid arthritis. It searches for uric acid or inflammatory proteins.

Treatment of Arthritis

Even though arthritis has no known treatment, there are techniques to control your symptoms. The severity of your arthritis, its symptoms, and your general health will all affect your treatment options.

Conservative (nonsurgical) treatments include

Medication: Arthritis symptoms may be helped by anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Inflammation brought on by your immune system can be reduced with biological medications. According to a medical expert, biologics may be used to treat your psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis.

Physical therapy: Rehabilitation can help to increase strength, range of motion, and overall mobility. Therapists can teach you how to alter your regular routines to lessen arthritis symptoms.

Therapeutic injections: Cortisone injections may temporarily lessen the pain and inflammation in your joints. One treatment for arthritis in specific joints, like your knee, is called Visco supplementation. It administers lubricant to enable simple joint mobility.

Surgical For Arthritis

These are some instances where conservative therapy has not improved the situation. The subsequent surgical possibilities:

The permanent merging of two or more bones is known as fusion. Fusion reduces discomfort caused by movement and stabilizes a joint.

Joint replacement: An artificial joint is used to replace a damaged or arthritic joint. Joint replacement maintains the movement and functionality of the joint. The ankle, hip, knee, and shoulder replacements are a few examples.

Can Arthritis Be Prevented

You can lessen your risk of developing arthritis by:

• avoiding products made with tobacco.

• exercising lightly and without lifting anything.

• maintaining an appropriate weight.

• reducing the possibility of joint injury.

Weather Makes Arthritis Worse

• Some people find that certain types of weather make their arthritis worse. Joint discomfort frequently results from cold and dampness.

• There are numerous reasons why this might happen. People tend to be less active during the winter and in damp weather. The cold and wetness can also tighten joints and aggravate arthritis. Other theories claim that the barometric pressure, or air pressure around us, may have an impact on arthritis.

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