Arthritis is a disease related to joint pain and swollen muscle. When a joint starts to contract due to extreme pain and rigor, it is the case with arthritis. Arthritis is heavier with age. The pain is such that it cannot be explained in words.
There are more than 100 reasons which are the cause of arthritis. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and both consist of different type of inflammation. Arthritis as we all know causes sudden stiffness in one’s joints. Treatments are there which improve and reduce the pain depending on the type of it.
What are the 5 types of arthritis –
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis increases and worsens with age and is the wear and tear of joints when flexible tissue at the end of bones wears down hard. It may happen hereditary or due to certain reasons like obesity and others.
Rheumatoid
This autoimmune disease grabs many body parts but especially the joints are affected. This chronic disease swells the joints resulting in extreme pain and immobility.
Psoriatic
People with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation of the skin and joints. It affects elbows, knees, scalp, navel, pubic region, and anus.
Gout
When too much uric acid deposits in the joints, it results in gout arthritis. Often, it grabs your big toe or another part of your feet.
Lupus
This common disease affects many parts of your body including joints. It causes often fatigue and headaches. Lucus is also called SLE ( systematic lupus erythematosus ) and affects hands, knees, mouth, blood disorders, and many more.
What are the causes of arthritis?
➡ Overloading on joints and muscles
➡ Parental history and genetics
➡ Age factor
➡ Obesity
➡ Muscles weakness or injuries
➡ Autoimmune disorders
➡ Eating too many cold items
If the following things are seen in your joint, it may be a cause of arthritis –
➡ Sharp pains
➡ Sudden swelling in some body parts
➡ Redness
➡ Pain in joints while sitting or walking
Exact symptoms of arthritis
➡ Decreased range of motion
➡ Having a click or stool while bending down
➡ Joint buckling
➡ Bony fingers growth
➡ Inflammation of heart muscle
➡ Limited RBC count
➡ Fever
➡ Swollen eyes, mouth, nose
Arthritis diagnosis
➡ Physical tests are been taken for checking the fluid flow, redness and warmth of joints
➡ Blood tests
➡ Certain laboratory tests like Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide tests
➡ Rheumatoid factor tests
➡ Antinuclear antibody diagnosis
➡ X-ray and CT scans are also performed
➡ Magnetic resonance imaging tests are performed
➡ Ct scanners and ultrasounds
How to prevent the risk of arthritis?
➡ Control sugar and salt intake
➡ Maintain a healthy lifestyle by diet control
➡ Regular exercise and stretching
➡ Quit smoking and alcoholism
➡ Eat fish
➡ Soak joints in warm water
➡ Avoid excessive weight gain
➡ Heating pads and ice packs as well would help
➡ Protect your joints
➡ Eat omega3 fatty acids
What are some myths created regarding arthritis?
What are the treatments available for arthritis?
➡ Certain medications are available for its treatment like NSAIDs, DMARDs, steroids and many more. Ask you for the right medications.
➡ Physical therapies can help
➡ Surgeries like joint replacement and joint fusion are also available
➡ Lifestyle changes are suggestible
➡ Home therapies work as alternative medicines like massaging, fish oil, acupuncture, glucosamine and many more.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. How to know if it’s arthritis or something else?
Answer – your doctor would suspect it through tests examined.
Q2. Does arthritis hurt to touch
Answer – arthritis can hurt by touching in one type but may relax you in another type.
Q3. Does pain in arthritis come and go
Answer – it also depends on the type of arthritis you are suffering from.
Q4. How long does an arthritis flare-up last?
Answer – again it also varies but usually lasts 4-5 days.