Arthritis

Arthritis is defined as a condition that causes the inflammation of joints. This condition is prevalent yet severe as it directly impacts the knees. Although it is primarily seen in older adults, this condition can be found in kids, adolescents, and young adults. 

What is Arthritis? 

Arthritis is one of the most prevalent diseases in India and worldwide despite age group, sex, or other important factors. Arthritis can be defined as a joint disorder leading to joint damage, joint stiffness, or the inflammation of one or more than one joint. Some of the common symptoms that directly point towards arthritis are swelling, pain, and burning sensation. 

Types of Arthritis 

More than 200 types of arthritis affect the joints, joint tissues, and other connective tissue. Some of the most common ones are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. 

• Osteoarthritis: One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is majorly caused due to regular damages to the joint’s cartilage and the wear-and-tear of the surrounding bones, which ultimately minimizes the friction among two bones. The most common symptoms of this condition are the burning sensation or severe pain in the joints. This condition can be reversed with timely intervention and care. 

Some preventive measures include sticking to a balanced diet, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding injuries, and indulging in physical exercise. This condition is most common in older women or individuals suffering from obesity, prior joint trauma, or a sedentary lifestyle.

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA are attributed to genetic factors such as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles while the other half of the risks are environmental factors including infection and smoking. It is a long-lasting disorder that severely affects the joints and other body parts. If an individual’s immune system attacks the joint lining and their cartilage, it leads to conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis. In this condition, the erosion of two opposing bones usually affects the knees, elbows, and wrists. This condition is often seen in teenagers or people aged 20 and above.

• Infectious Arthritis: Another severe form of arthritis is infectious arthritis that is majorly caused due to microbial infections in the joint. This condition is the result of the pathogens invading the joints. Some of the common symptoms are inflammation, swelling, and intense pain. Several microbes are responsible for infecting the joints, including salmonella, shigella, and chlamydia. 

Symptoms of Arthritis

Several symptoms can indicate whether a person has any arthritis. These include- 

• Stiffness or swelling of joints 
• Warmth and redness of the joints
• Pain around the joints 
• Deformity of joints
• Fatigue and Malaise
• Tenderness of joints 
• Difficult in moving
• Muscle ache 
• Limping
• Poor sleep 

Apart from these, other common symptoms such as pain and burning sensation directly indicate arthritis. 

Causes of Arthritis

Several factors can cause arthritis. As compared to men, women are most likely to suffer this condition. Some of the common causes of arthritis are as follows- 

• Joint infection
• Metabolic abnormalities
• General wear and tear
• Family hereditary
• Immune attacks
• Improper Diet
• Poor nutrition
• Old age

Treatment of Arthritis

Although there is no permanent cure for this condition, there are several treatments that healthcare professionals suggest to treat inflamed joints. These treatments aim to minimize future complications and reduce pain. The most common treatment of arthritis are- 

• Joint replacement surgery
• Non-pharmacologic therapies
• Massaging and acupressure
• Physical therapy
• Medicines 

Prevention of Arthritis

Prevention is better than cure, especially when there are definite treatments available. Here are a few effective methods to prevent arthritis or other joint disorders: 

• Practicing regular physical exercises such as walking, running, swimming.
• Sticking to a well-balanced diet 
• Adding foods to your diet that are rich in vitamin D
• Avoiding injuries 
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Perform exercises that positively impact the knees. 

Note 

More than 20 million people in the world have arthritis. Out of which, some remain untreated and others undetected. Osteoarthritis has been affecting 15 million adults annually with a prevalence ranging 22% to 39% in India. Other common joint conditions affecting Indians are gout and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Conclusion 

Arthritis is one of the most commonly found diseases present in all age groups and sexes. Whether you’re 18 years old or 50 years old, you can have arthritis. People generally misunderstand it as normal joint pain, which worsens the condition in most cases. However, it is a disability that can even lead to permanent health disorders. On average, there are more than 100 types of identified arthritis, and the non-identified ones are countless. 

Some of the common ones are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Although their symptoms are generally common such as keen pain, swelling, Poor sleep, tenderness, redness and warmth, and so on, these cannot be ignored as arthritis can also affect several body parts if not treated well on time. The complete treatment for arthritis is still unidentified; however, its effects can be lowered with proper medicines, therapies, massages, and regular physical activities.