Arthritis is the inflammation and tenderness involving one or more joints. The disease presents as joint pain and stiffness which typically worsens with age and can make life tough for patients. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis, the former causes breakdown of cartilage – the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint and the latter causes the immune system to attack the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.
Causes
It may be difficult to find the exact reason for the disease as there are several factors that can increase the risk of each type of arthritis. It could be due to your genes you inherited from your parents or grandparents. Other types of arthritis can be caused by infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus. However, right treatment and approach will help to manage your symptoms. Also, being physically active will go a long way to keep you in good health and better manage your condition.
While the inflammatory disease has no cure, there has been significant improvement in the treatment for the disease with clear benefit in starting the treatment at an early stage. Further, treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis with the main goal being to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis which involves wear-and-tear damage to a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage provides cushioning to the ends of the bones which allows frictionless joint motion but a damaged cartilage can result in bone grinding directly on bone causing pain and restricted movement. This can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.
Further, the disease also brings about changes in the bone and deteriorates the connective tissue that holds the bone and joint together. With severe damage to the cartilage, the joint lining may be affected and become inflamed and swollen.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the joint capsule which leads to its inflammation and swelling and eventually destroying the cartilage and bone within the joint.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of the disease involve the joints and depending on the type of arthritis, signs and symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Reduced range of motion
Risk factors
Some types of arthritis are found to run in families and if your parents or siblings have the disorder, you are more likely to develop arthritis. So, if that is the case, one must be careful and take adequate care to keep it under check.
Increase in age is directly known to increase the risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men, while gout – another type of arthritis is found commonly in men.
A joint injury – maybe while playing a sport or accident is more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
Carrying extra pounds leads to excess stress on joints, especially on knees, hips and spine. Obese people are at a higher risk of developing arthritis.
