A Complete Guide to Arthritis
Arthritis refers to any joint pain or joint disease. It is a common myth that arthritis denotes a single condition, but arthritis is a term coined for over a hundred conditions, including Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, that affect the joints in your body. Arthritis is a common condition as is one of the leading causes of work disability worldwide. Over 5 million people suffer from arthritis in the United States alone. And while arthritis is commonly caused by wear and tear of the tissues, some forms of arthritis may affect children and there are 30,000 children in the United States alone that suffer from this painful condition.
Arthritis Causes
Arthritis causes vary according to the type of arthritis that you are suffering from. The most common types of arthritis are- osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, reactive, and septic arthritis, lupus, and gout.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of the disease, and it is caused by the wear and tear of joint cartilage, that forms a coating around bones to help keep them in place. This cartilage provides cushioning for the bones and protects them from fiction when they move. It causes damage to the entire joint, grinding of bones and it may also cause inflammation at the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused due to the immune system attacking the lining of the joint capsule causing inflammation and swelling. If left untreated this disease can also affect the cartilage and the bones that these cartilages cover.
Some joint infections lead to Septic arthritis causes redness, heat, and pain in the infected joints. This causes chronic pain and an inability to move freely.
Lupus is a form of autoimmune disease that tends to affect the joints as well, this is one of the rare arthritis causes that can hinder daily activities and lower the quality of life.
A gout is a complex form of the disease. This form of arthritis causes severe attacks that are characterized by swellings, redness, and pain. This is caused by excessive urine in the body, a condition that is referred to as hyperuricemia.
Arthritis Symptoms
Since Arthritis is a disease pertaining to the joints, the symptoms are mostly related to the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis and how far ti has progressed the symptoms may include one or more of these arthritis symptoms-
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Restricted movement around the joints
Arthritis Diagnosis
A medical professional can usually conduct arthritis diagnosis with the help of a physical examination. They may test the stiffness, swelling, redness, and movement of your joints to determine if you are suffering from the disease.
If this examination is not enough, you may conduct a few tests to determine the disease and the extent to which it has affected your body. X-rays can help determine the extent to which the cartilage and bones have been affected. A CT scan can give a more detailed picture as it is able to capture the bones and the condition of its surrounding tissues. An MRI is able to show a cross-sectional view of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments to give a clear idea about how your body is being affected. Ultrasound is also a great way to view the cartilage tissues and the surrounding fluids that reduce the friction in your joints.
Arthritis Treatment
One of the most common Arthritis causes is being obese and having bad food habits. Due to the extra weight and pressure, the joints tend to undergo more wear and tear causing the onset of osteoarthritis.
This is why a great home remedy for arthritis is to exercise regularly. Swimming is a great choice as the buoyancy provided by water is an added advantage. This reduces the stress placed on the joints and is the best form of exercise for arthritis treatment at home.
If your condition has already restricted your movement and affected your day to day life, it may be advisable to consult a doctor who can suggest the right painkillers, non-inflammatory medicines, and counterirritants to curb the problem. Your doctor will be able to help you with the right combination and choose the best medicine for arthritis treatment.
If the condition cannot be controlled through medications alone, surgery may be recommended. There are three types of arthritis treatment through surgery. These treatments include joint repair, where the joints are realigned or smoothed to improve their movement and reduce the pain.
Joint replacement surgeries are most commonly used for arthritis knee treatment and as the name suggests the joints are replaced with artificial ones.
Joint fusion is a method wherein the two ends of bones are joined together and they are locked together. These then grow to become one rigid unit and while this reduces the mobility of the patient it rids them of any pain and inflammation.
If you are suffering from arthritis and take medication for the same, download the RemedySPace app which will remind you to take your pills on time and help you connect with several people who are facing similar issues and undergoing treatment for the same.