arthritis

the term arthritis, which is the literal word for joint inflammation, is used to describe a collection of conditions and diseases develop because of inflammation in the joints in the body. there are more than 100 types of arthritis, each marked by the joint affected, and related diseases. the most common types include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout.

all joints, from the neck to the toes, can be affected by arthritis. that said, each type of arthritis is most likely to affect a specific joint or joints, and not all types will affect all the same joints.

for example, osteoarthritis is most likely to occur in the hand, hips, and knees, whereas gout is most likely to affect the joint in the big toe.

regardless of the type a person has, they may experience similar symptoms, including pain and swelling in the joints as well as redness and heat. since there are so many types of arthritis, each may come with differing symptoms, but the primary signs of disease are the same. some other possible symptoms that can develop in arthritis include:
• stiffness
• reduced motion in the affected joint
• discoloration of the skin surrounding the joint
• tenderness and sensitivity around the joint

the causes of the varying types of arthritis also differ greatly. for example, rheumatoid arthritis is form of autoimmune disease in which immune system cells mistake healthy cells in the joints for foreign invaders and attack and destroy them. this leads to the symptoms experience. on the other hand, osteoarthritis is a form of degenerative disease most notable caused by wear and tear of joints as a person ages. other possible causes include:
• idiopathic, meaning there is no cause
• viral infections
• too much uric acid in the blood
• age (degenerative arthritis typically affects adults over 50, but can start at any age depending on the type)

there are various risk factors associated with an increased chance of developing arthritis in someone’s lifetime such as family history of arthritis, smoking, a lack of regular exercise, and having other health diseases that can affect the joints.

diagnosing arthritis involves a collection of health and family health history and a series of tests, which might include x-rays, ultrasounds, mris, and ct scans.

while arthritis isn’t a terminal disease, it can severely reduce a person’s overall quality of life and there is no cure. that is why treatment for these disease is focused on reducing and preventing the damage of the joints further while reducing symptoms. some possible interventions include:
• anti-inflammatory medications, such as nsaids and corticosteroids
• disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (dmards)
• physical or occupational therapy to improve strength and motion
• surgery

preventing arthritis isn’t always possible, but you can reduce your risk by quitting smoking, exercising and eating healthy, and wearing protective equipment while doing activities that could damage joints.

researchers continue to search for new ways to treat arthritis and reduce damage to the joint to help those with the condition improve their quality of life.