A lot of us don’t really know the right reason for arthritis but today, we’ll talk more about what is Arthritis, what are its types, why does it happen, and what are the methods of treatment. So, let’s get started… In definition, Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints that causes pain and stiffness. Did you know that it is a disease that gets worse with age? Well, it does, and this is why you need to find ways to treat it.
Facts about Arthritis – Types of arthritis
- There are over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.
- People of all ages, sexes, and races can have arthritis.
- More than 50 million adults and over 3,00,000 children have some type of arthritis.
- Arthritis is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.
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Symptoms of Arthritis – reason for arthritis
Common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Swelling
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion.
The symptoms may come and go and can vary from mild and moderate to severe. Sometimes these symptoms stay the same for years but other times it can progress or get worse over time. The result of severe arthritis cases can end up causing chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and can also make it difficult for patients to even walk or climb stairs. It is a serious disease and can cause permanent joint changes that can be visible or can only be seen on X-ray.
Types of arthritis
While we talked about the fact that there are several types of arthritis, it might be hard for you to believe that some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin along with the joints. The most common types of arthritis are the osteoarthritis and the rheumatoid arthritis.
While the Osteoarthritis causes cartilage to break down, the Rheumatoid arthritis causes the immune system to attack the joints, beginning with the lining of joints. If you’re wondering what cartilage is, it is the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint.
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The reason for arthritis – Risk factors for arthritis
Did you know uric acid crystals, which form when there’s too much uric acid in your blood, can cause gout? If you’re wondering why we’re talking about this, it’s because infections or underlying disease, such as psoriasis or lupus can also cause types of arthritis.
Other risk factors of Arthritis also include:
- Family history: Sometimes a type of arthritis runs in the family. So, you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
- Age: The risk of many types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout increase with age.
- Sex: Fact is that women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as compared to men. Similarly, men are likely to suffer from gout and other types of arthritis than women.
- Obesity: Excess amount of pounds adds stress on the joints, particularly your knees, hips, and the spine. So, people with obesity usually have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
- Previous joint injuries: If you have injured your joint in the past while playing a sport or any other reason, it’s likely for you to develop arthritis in that joint.
Exercises for arthritis
The exercises that you can practice to avoid falling prey to the Arthritis disease include:
- Stretching
- Walking
- Flowing Movements (tai chi and yoga)
- Pilates
- Water exercises
- Cycling
- Strength training
- Hand exercises
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Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for any harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.
