A Better Understanding of Arthritis

Many people experience arthritis in different joints of the body. This condition is most common in older individuals above the age of forty. Research shows that in over 20% of cases in the hospital, patients are diagnosed with arthritis. Many people tend to ignore the condition, especially in the early stages, which has led to the need to educate and shed more light on this condition. Visit East Village arthritis for more information and treatment procedures. Here is what you should know about arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

Generally, arthritis is a condition where the joints become inflamed. It may affect one or several joints. It causes persistent pain to the joints making it difficult for the whole body to move.

What are the causes of arthritis?

Two factors mainly cause arthritis. They are;

Osteoarthritis. This is the wearing out that primarily damages cartilages found between the joints. The cartilage plays a vital role in absorbing shocks and friction between the bones and joints. Damages in the cartilage make the bones grind on each other, causing pain during movement. If this remains unhandled for a longer time, it may lead to infections.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This condition interferes with the immune system making it attack the joint lining that contains membranes. The membrane function is to enclose the joints. The lining becomes inflamed and swollen, thus destroying cartilages and bones found inside the joints.

What are the common types of arthritis?

Primarily, research shows that there are a hundred different types of arthritis that affect individuals in the whole world. However, these are the most common;

•   Degenerative arthritis. This condition makes the cushioning surface at the end of bones wear out, making the bones grind on each other. This, in the end, makes an individual experience severe pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It makes it difficult for an individual to move around.
•   Inflammatory arthritis. This condition makes the body attack the healthy joints making an individual experience inflammation and chronic joint pain.
•   Infectious arthritis. This condition is caused by infections from bacteria and viruses that enter into the joints. They end up causing pain and inflammation of the joints.
•   Metabolic arthritis. This condition makes an individual experience severe pain because of the buildup of uric acid. Build up of excessive acid causes needle-like crystals to form inside the joints causing pain.

What are the signs and symptoms of arthritis?

The following signs and symptoms characterize arthritis condition;

•   Chronic pain in the joints
•   Stiffness in the joints
•   Swelling of the joints
•   Joints tend to appear red
•   Individuals also have a decreased range of motion

If you experience such symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

How is arthritis treated?

Doctors usually diagnose patients by performing in-office blood testing to see other underlying health issues and all the symptoms related to the condition. After this, the patient is given medications that reduce the swelling and pain. Steroid injections are made if the condition is more severe. The injection is capable of reducing the pain and inflammation of the joints.

In summary, arthritis is a severe condition that needs proper medical attention. Individuals should also exercise more often to keep their body joints fit to avoid future occurrences of this condition.