What is Arthritis?
One of the common disorders affecting one or several joints (the part where the two bones are connected and move) of the body, provoking tenderness, swelling, and inflammation along with pain is known as Arthritis.
This condition though commonly occurs in the older adults, but with the time it has been noticed in the children’s, adults of any age as well as gender especially overweight people.
In arthritis, the condition of the sufferer gets worsen with the passage of time as there is rising in stiffness and joint pain. Though there are more than 100 categories of the arthritis, but the two most common categories are:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Osteoarthritis (OA).
The symptoms may vary, as it may develop gradually or it may arise suddenly.
Our body’s immune system works on protecting each and every part within, with all the precautions. Even the joints are supported and gently safeguard by the soft tissues against the rubbing between them (joints). For the articular cartilage which is the kind of connective tissues plays the vital role for the same function.
Discussing about the synovial membrane that have a pocket of liquid or fluid providing lubrication to the joints like knee, supported by the tendons and ligaments. Therefore, reduction is these factors like cartilage, synovial fluid may leads to few forms of arthritis.
The common parts of the body where the occurrence of arthritis is more are:
- Knees.
- Lower back.
- Feet.
- Hips.
- Hands.
Common symptoms observed in the various types of arthritis, involving the joints
- Redness.
- Swelling.
- Pain.
- Decline in the frequency of motion.
- Stiffness and Tenderness.
Types of Arthritis
Among the numerous arthritis, that leads to various joints related issues, few of them are as follows:
- Gout: In this medical condition, hard crystals of uric acid are formed in the joints.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: Arthritis of the lower back or spine.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriasis ( kind of autoimmune disorder causing skin irritation) along with joint inflammation get develops in the people.
- Osteoarthritis : The most common form of arthritis, that is also known as the ‘wear and tear’ , it develops due to the break down of joint cartilage due to repeated stress.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: It is commonly observed in the children 0f 16 or younger age, this is the kinf of disorder where the tissues around the joints are affected.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): One of the majorly occurring form of arthritis, where the immune system act upon synovial membranes present in the joints, therefore causing pain and inflammation.
Risk Factor and Complications
- Age: With the rise in age the risk of arthritis also increases especially of gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Previous joint injury: People who have early injury while playing any sport, can also have the issue of arthritis.
- Family history: Some of the type of arthritis are due to the family history or they are hereditary, such people are likely to suffer due to this reason also.
- Obesity: One of the vital reason is excessive weight, causing stress on joints, particularly knees and spine are at higher risk of developing arthritis due to overweight.
- Gender: Females are mostly affected by this disorder (rheumatoid arthritis) than male counterpart, while number of males sufferers from gout.
Treatments
There is no permanent cure for arthritis up till now, but few treatment have been found useful to manage the condition and reduce the pain, these all depends on the severity of the arthritis and its symptoms:
- Physical therapy: Some rehabilitation are there for improving the critical condition by boosting the strength, motility and mobility. The trainers guide the patients for doing some physical activities in the affected area to lessen the pain.
- Medication: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines are been prescribed to reduce the pain, along with that there are combinations of the medicines that may target the immune’s system inflammatory response.
- Therapeutic injections: Certain injections are also given under medical supervision as to relieve pain and inflammations of the joints.
So, this is all about arthritis