Decoding Arthritis: Types, Symptoms, and Risk Factors

Arthritis is an informal term often used for any disorder related to joints and their inflammation. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, warmth, and decreased range of motion around the affected joints. In some types, other organs such as eyes, muscles and heart are also affected. Symptoms can be temporary or permanent on the basis of severity. They can be mild, moderate or severe and may stay the same for years but if not treated, situations can get worse over time. There are over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions known to date. The most common is osteoarthritis which is also known as degenerative joint disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is also very common. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage which is a hard slippery tissue that covers the ends of the bones where the joint is formed. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body's own immune system starts treating joints as a foreign particles and starts attacking the lining of the joints and later even reaches the joint bones. Gout is another type of arthritis where uric acid crystals, known as urate crystals start forming in the joints due to the presence of excessive uric acid in the body. Certain types of infections or underlying diseases such as lupus or psoriasis also cause other types of arthritis.

TYPES:

● ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS:

It is an inflammatory disease causing the fusion of spinal bones. This fusion makes the spine less flexible and results in a henched-forward posture and decreases the flexibility of the vertebrae. Ribs can also be affected which makes breathing difficult.

Symptoms include-

A. Cartilage between breastbone and ribs

B. Vertebrae in the lower back

C. Joint between the base of spine and pelvis

There is no treatment for ankylosing spondylitis full stop treatment is given to lessen the symptoms and lower the progression of disease.

● GOUT:

As explained above, the primary cause of gout disease is the presence of excess of uric acid inthe body. This excess uric acid keeps on accumulating and forms urate crystals.Most common symptoms are :-

A. Intense joint pain, usually the large joint of big toe {pain may last for 4 to 12 hours afterit begins}

B. Inflammation and redness

C. Limited range of motion

● JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS:

It is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16. Juvenile idiopathicarthritis can cause serious complications such as growth problems, joint damage, eyeinflammation and treatment is often focused on controlling pain and inflammation, improvingfunction and preventing damage.

Symptoms may include :-

A. Joint pain or limping especially the first thing in the morning or after a nap

B. Joint swelling especially in larger joints such as, knee.

C. Stiffness and clumsiness more than usual particularly in morning or after a nap.D. Fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash on the trunk which is usually worse in the evening.Affected patient can experience symptoms for only few months or for years also.

●OSTEOARTHRITIS:

It is the most common type and affects millions of people worldwide. it happens when theprotective cartilage starts wearing down over time.Most common affected areas are hands, knees, hips and spine.

Symptoms include :-

A. Pain in the affected area during or after movement.

B. Stiffness upon awakening or after in activity

C. Tenderness on applying light pressure on the joint

D. Loss of flexibility

E. Grating sensation and a sound of popping and cracking

F. Swelling might be caused by inflammation of soft tissue around the joint

● PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS:

Psoriatic arthritis fact some people who develop psoriasis - a condition where skin becomes redand is topped with silvery scales. It can affect any part including fingertips and spine.There is no cure for this disease therefore, treatment is focused on controlling symptoms andpreventing damage to the joints.

Symptoms include:-

A. Swollen finger and toes

B. Pain at the points where tendons and ligaments attach to the bones specially back of theheel and sole of the foot.

C. Lower back pain

● RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:

Is a chronic inflammatory disorder and can affect more than just the joints. It can affect bonemarrow, salivary glands, kidney, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels too. It is an auto-immunedisorder, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissue. It affects thelining of the joints, causing painful swelling which finally results in bone erosion and jointdeformity.

Symptoms may include :-

A. Tender, warm and swollen joints

B. Joint stiffness in the morning or hours of inactivity

C. Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite

● SEPTIC ARTHRITIS:

As the name suggests, it is caused by sepsis, that is, infection in the joint. Infection can happen by the contact of microorganisms through the bloodstream from another part of the body for some penetrating injury at the site of the joint. Treatment includes draining the joint with the help of a needle or surgically followed by a course of antibiotics which is prescribed to treat the infection.

Symptoms include:-

A. Swollen, red and warm joint

B. Extreme discomfort and pain

C. Fever

RISK FACTORS

● FAMILY HISTORY

Like other diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis can also run in the family through genes. So, there are more chances of an individual getting arthritis if his / herparent/s or siblings have the disorder.

● AGE

With age, our body has a higher chance to get arthritis. certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis are more likely to affect a person as he/she gets old

● PERSON's SEX

women are more likely to develop arthritis which occur due to low bone density and nutrientdeficiency. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are most common in women whereas inmen, gout and other types are most commonly observed.

● OBESITY

More weight means more pressure on joints and particularly on knees, hips and spine whichresults in wear and tear of the joints and ligaments.

Blog Writen by Nandita Rajoteaya