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A Complete Guide to Arthritis: Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments

Published: October 16, 2024
A Complete Guide to Arthritis: Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments

Having arthritis may be extremely painful. This is an illness that millions of people worldwide suffer from. Any age can be affected by arthritis. This article will guide you about the better understanding of osteoarthritis by analyzing its signs and symptoms, risk factors, classifications, treatments, and preventative measures, including physical therapy.

What Does Arthritis Mean?

Arthritis covers over a hundred different syndromes and conditions that affect the joints and other connective tissues in the body like tendons and ligaments. The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are over seventy additional kinds of arthritis.

The knees, hips, hands, and spine are the main and most common joints affected by arthritis, while other joints may also get affected. The level of discomfort caused by arthritis ranges from mild to total incapacitation depending on the category and the grade of the arthritis.

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Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis symptoms differ from one type of arthritis to another type. But, the most common symptoms are given below: 

  • Joint Pain: This is the defining symptom of arthritis. Depending on the source and intensity of the symptoms, the pain might range from being severe to dull to throbbing.

  • Stiffness: This is the limited range of motion in the injured joint. It typically occurs in the morning, following a night of sleep or extended durations of sitting.

  • Swelling: Due to the inflammation in the joint, there is also swelling along with warmth around the affected joint.

  • Redness: Redness may be present around the affected joints.

  • Fatigue: Fatigue and a reduction in quality of life are possible effects of chronic pain.

  • Decreased Range of Motion: Damaged joints increase the abnormal movement, which results in limitation in normal activities.

  • Muscle Weakness: Muscles provide support to joints in the affected area, which results in muscle weekness. 

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Causes of Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that may be caused by many factors, but some of the causes are as follows:

  • Age: When osteoarthritis develops, the cartilage in the joints gradually loses its ability to sustain joint tension, which leads to bone rubbing. This degeneration of cartilage is age-related. 

  • Immune system-related reasons: Due to the presence of antibodies, the immune system attacks the joints among other tissues, resulting in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Heredity: Genetics also comes into play when people who have a family history of arthritis have a risk of developing the condition. 

  • Trauma: Previous joint traumas may predispose an individual to the development of arthritis at the advanced stage.

  • Physiological reasons: Uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints of people with gout arthritis as a result of a metabolic imbalance.

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Types Of Arthritis

The word arthritis refers to over a hundred joint related disorders. The following are the five most common forms of arthritis: 

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis preponderates over all the arthritis types, hence termed Osteoarthritis. As the name explains this is when the protective material cushioning the joints is gradually torn apart. The degenerative condition causes pain in the affected joint, which is frequently accompanied by stiffness and impaired movement. Osteoarthritis is a ‘weight bearing’ disease and affects the knees, hips, and spine mainly, more so in older people, but it also affects the hands and other regions.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This condition occurs when the immune system erroneously perceives the joint’s inner layer (synovia) as a pathogen and begins to destroy it. As a result, inflammation occurs, and tissue swelling happens, eventually resulting in the reshaping of the joint structures and their posture. Unlike osteoarthritis, which often strikes individual joints in serious cases, rheumatoid arthritis can affect several joints at the same time, and sometimes even other organs, such as the heart and lungs, and the eyes.

Gout

It is formed due to deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints causing an unnatural painful attack, reddening, and inflammation. This frequently occurs at the junctions of big toes, or sometimes other joints. Flare episodes of gout attacks are due to certain kinds of food, alcohol, or even dehydration on its own.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects patients with psoriasis, a skin disorder that causes red, flaky patches of skin. It has similar symptoms of joint pain, stiffness, and swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis but usually with more skin manifestations.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This type of arthritis targets the spine and causes inflammation of the bones in the spine which can result in severe and persistent pain and discomfort. In extreme cases it transforms the spine by adding new bony growths, thus curving the spine.

With over 100 forms of arthritis, it is important to understand the various treatment options available to manage symptoms effectively.

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Most Common Treatments For Arthritis

Arthritis is incurable in itself but there are a number of treatment approaches that can help manage the symptoms and lead to a significant improvement in a patient's lifestyle. Treatment plan most usually depends on the form of arthritis that the patient is suffering from and also the extent of the symptoms. 

Some of the most common treatments are explained below:

Medications

  • Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are useful in reducing inflammation and providing pain relief. 

  • Corticosteroids: These drugs are strong anti-inflammatory drugs and can be given orally or as injections into the respective painful and inflamed joint.

  • Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Medications include methotrexate, which is used to suppress the immune system over time to treat inflammatory colonizing arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and associated symptoms.

  • Biologic Response Modifiers: By targeting particular immune system components, these medications lower inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders.

  • Pain Relievers: Pain relieving medications such as acetaminophen help with pain management but do not treat the underlying inflammation.

Physical Therapy

The purpose of the therapy is to enhance the range of motion, strengthen the muscles surrounding the moderator joints and consequently ease stiffness. The therapist will incorporate some joint movement exercises to improve and reduce pain.

Surgery

Advanced cases with major damage to the bones and joints require surgery. In these circumstances, bone surgery plays a major role. Joint replacement surgeries are frequently performed on the knees and hips to provide effective mobility and pain-free living.  The knee replacement surgery cost & hip replacement surgery cost in India are affordable, attracting many travelers seeking these procedures. Other similar surgeries involve the fusing of joints and resurfacing of joints.

Aids

Use of braces, splints or even canes provide support to the affected joints. It reduces pain and enhances joint function.

Modification of Lifestyle

Arthritis symptoms may be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, doing regular physical activity, and even eating a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods (especially fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids).

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Prevention Of Arthritis

Some causes of arthritis such as age and genetics cannot be prevented. However, adjustments in lifestyle may help in the risk of suffering from arthritis, or even halt it as discussed below:

  • Healthy Weight Loss: Extra kilos add more burden to the knees and other joints thereby increasing the chances of developing knee osteoarthritis.

  • Exercise: Join a gym and perform regular exercises that have low weight bearing impact on the body such as low incline walking, swimming and cycling. This helps build the muscles around the joints without putting stress.

  • Joint Protection: Injury of the joints can be prevented by discouraging movements that require twisting or turning of the joints numerous times in a day.

  • Indulge in Proper Nutrition: Consuming plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy oil helps in lowering inflammation. Oily fish, for example salmon and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids which also help to reduce inflammation.

  • Preventing Joint Injury:  When doing physical activity, make every effort to protect your joints and avoid injuries since this can reduce the chance that you will develop arthritis in the future.

  • Getting Regular Check-ups: Treatment of the condition during the early stages of joint weakness may avoid arthritis from progressing further.

Arthritis is a common and painful condition that affects people of all ages. Unfortunately, no cure has yet been established, but it is essential to learn about its early diagnosis and treatment. Some typical symptoms include joint pain, tightness, and swelling which can hinder undertakings of day-to-day activities. There are scientific ways to lower the odds of arthritis or its severity such as keeping your appropriate body mass index, exercising regularly, and practicing an anti-inflammatory nutrition.

Though there is no cure for arthritis, early diagnosis and proper management can significantly improve quality of life, helping individuals maintain mobility and reduce pain. A holistic approach, including lifestyle changes and medical interventions, is key to living well with arthritis.

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Guneet Bindra
Reviewer

Guneet Bhatia is the Founder of HOSPIDIO and an accomplished content reviewer with extensive experience in medical content development, instructional design, and blogging. Passionate about creating impactful content, she excels in ensuring accuracy and clarity in every piece. Guneet enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, enriching her perspective. When she's not working, she cherishes quality time with her family, enjoys good music, and loves brainstorming innovative ideas with her team.