More than 1 in 5 people older than 40 are affected by arthritis worldwide. Over 1 crore cases of this medical condition are alone reported in India every year. This is one of the most common diseases in elderly people that gets worse as time passes. It’s responsible for painful joints and stiffness, making it difficult to do daily tasks. It can even lead to disability if not taken care of in a timely manner. Therefore, having adequate knowledge about arthritis, its symptoms, and how to deal with it is extremely important.
This write-up will help you understand what arthritis is, its types, causes, symptoms, and more.
Table of Contents
What is Arthritis?
Inflammation in one or more joints, leading to swelling & tenderness is called arthritis. This is a medical condition responsible for joint pain and stiffness, which only deteriorates with age. Over hundred types of arthritis & related conditions have been identified so far, and they may occur in anyone regardless of their age, race, or sex. In fact, severe arthritis can lead to chronic pain, making it hard & painful to do day-to-day activities and walk or climb stairs. It is one of the leading causes of disability in elderly people worldwide.
It is not a disease of ageing particularly. However, some types of arthritis affect elderly people more than younger ones. This disease can even cause permanent joint changes that can be seen only via X-rays. There are some types of arthritis that can even affect eyes, kidneys, skin, lungs, and the heart.
Types of Arthritis
Some common types of arthritis include the following.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
It is considered the most common type of arthritis, also known as the disease of whole joint, which means it can damage any joint in the body. However, it majorly causes inflammation in spine, hands, hips, and knees. Osteoarthritis makes the inflamed bones weaker, damages the joint lining, and causes deterioration in connective tissues.
Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis
The immune system is the body’s army to fight back microbes or infection, but what if this army starts attacking healthy tissues in our body? This is exactly what happens when a person has autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. In this condition, our immune system becomes overactive and starts attacking the tissues in the spine joints, feet and hands.
The most common type of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the second most common type of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), gout and juvenile arthritis also occur owing to inflammation caused by the immune system, but they are less common and can be more challenging to diagnose.
Infectious Arthritis
When the inflammation from another part of the body travels to a joint, usually the knee, it’s called infectious arthritis. It is usually triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection, causing sudden pain & fever along with swelling. However, the good thing about this arthritis type is – the infection clears off quickly within a week or two when treated with antibiotics or antifungals. If the infection is severe, some people may need to have their joint fluid drained out in order to get rid of infected synovial fluid.
Gout (Metabolic Arthritis)
When a buildup of uric acid crystals takes place in joints, it causes pain in joints & is known as metabolic or gouty arthritis. It usually occurs when a person’s body can’t filter out the excess uric acid found in human cells, red meats, seafoods, and alcohol.
Gout can happen to anyone, so it’s advisable to have plant based, low purine food. Usually, this arthritis type doesn’t require medication, but doctors may recommend you uric acid lowering drugs if you experience more than one gout attack or flare.
How to Know If You’re Developing Arthritis?
You should pay attention to symptoms of this disease and see a doctor as soon as possible. The most common arthritis symptoms & signs are:
- Swelling & pain in joints
- Joint stiffness & reduced range of motion
- A feeling of warmth & heat near joints
- Tenderness or sensation when touched around joints
- Skin discoloration
You can develop any of these symptoms depending on the type of arthritis you have. Remember, not all arthritis shows the symptoms all the time. In some cases, the signs come and go (flares or flare-ups), while the other arthritis types make your joints painful when you are physically active.
Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Arthritis Than Men?
Although this disease can happen to anyone regardless of the gender or age, but women are more susceptible to arthritis than men, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Studies show that about 1 in 4 women are infected from arthritis while 1 in 5 men develops inflammation in their bones. But why? Here are the reasons:
Biology: A woman has wider hips and more elastic joints than men’s as their body is designed to give birth. Women’s knee joints aren’t aligned as straight as those of a man, making them more prone to injury & joint inflammation.
Hormones: Estrogen, a female hormone, protects cartilage from inflammation. However, a female can lose this protection & have Osteoarthritis (OA) if the hormonal imbalance takes place and estrogen levels drop. It usually happens after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease.
Genetics: Osteoarthritis (OA) has been found to have some sort of a genetic link, with studies indicating that there is a 40% to 70% chance it can be passed on to future generations, especially among females. This suggests that hereditary factors may play a significant role in the development of OA, alongside other environmental and lifestyle factors.
Weight: Body’s weight plays a prominent role in the development & progression of joint degradation. Statistics show that, globally, the population of obese women is higher than that of obese men. Since obesity is the most significant predictor of osteoarthritis (OA), obese women are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, the good thing is that this risk factor can be controlled by maintaining a healthy body weight & being adequately active.
How to Deal with Arthritis
At present, there’s no cure for this disease. However, if arthritis is diagnosed at the early stage, the right treatment plan can help reduce joint damage and symptoms.
Planning a healthy diet and following regular workout regimes can be significantly beneficial to cope with arthritis. You can play sports or do yoga, strength training, or swimming. It’s also advisable to quit smoking, especially women, because it damages our blood vessels & makes harm to cartilage in joints.
If you work all day sitting, you should start taking small breaks & have a walk. Changing repetitive motions reduces the joint pressure, preventing inflammation.
Conclusion
Although the chances for developing arthritis tend to increase with age, it’s not an inevitable part of growing old. You can prevent it from happening by keeping yourself physically active, maintaining your BMI, and staying away from cigarettes & alcohol.
Avoiding red meat, sugar, and highly processed foods can also be significantly beneficial because they stoke joint inflammation. Incorporate leafy greens, whole grains, berries, and olive oil into your diet to keep your cartilage healthy.
If you already have arthritis symptoms, consider seeing a doctor as soon as possible. Over-the-counter pain relievers should also help reduce the pain. You should also use assistive devices if necessary.
Thanks for reading. Stay Smart, Stay Healthy!
Authors
Dr. Dhruv Gupta stands as a distinguished medical professional renowned for his expertise, particularly in [specific medical field]. His significant contributions extend into the forefront of healthcare innovation, where he has emerged as a pioneering advocate for e-pharmacy solutions. Dr. Gupta’s visionary leadership in integrating technology and pharmaceutical services has reshaped the landscape of healthcare delivery. As a proactive participant in the telemedicine realm, he has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing patient care and accessibility to medications through digital platforms. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Gupta is actively engaged in medical education, often sharing his insights as a speaker at conferences. His patient-centric approach ensures that individuals benefit from convenient and reliable access to necessary medications, marking him as a key figure at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
