Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people from all backgrounds. Anyone can develop this condition, including children, though age increases vulnerability. In this article, we will look at the causes, symptoms, and treatments for arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
The term ‘arthritis’ covers various conditions that cause inflammation and pain in the joints. The causes of this inflammation can differ depending on the type of arthritis a person has. In the UK, around 10 million people have arthritis; according to Versus Arthritis, 8.5 million of these cases are connected to osteoarthritis. Amongst these numbers, over 10,000 cases affect under-16s.
The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis – affecting 8.5 million people – and rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 430,000 people.
Types of Arthritis
There are over one hundred types of arthritis and similar diseases. However, most people who develop arthritis are likely to live with the more common varieties. Each type of arthritis affects a person differently, though certain commonalities exist between them, such as inflammation of the joints.
Osteoarthritis
Most cases of osteoarthritis affect people aged 40 or over. It is predominantly caused by wear and tear and is more common in women. The word ‘osteo’ means ‘bone’; osteoarthritis develops when the protective cartilage in a person’s joints thins, which can lead to bone rubbing on bone. Tendons and joints are also forced to work harder. These symptoms combine to cause swelling and, in some cases, an alteration of joint shape.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Though less prevalent than osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis remains the second most common type of arthritis in the UK. Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the hands, feet, and wrists. This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The cells designed to protect the body attack certain parts of it by mistake. In this case, the immune system attacks the lining of a person’s joints. This results in swelling, stiffness, and pain. The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, but women and people with a family history are more vulnerable. However, rheumatoid arthritis may come and go, with people going long periods without symptoms.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Some people with psoriasis – a skin condition that causes skin to flake – may develop psoriatic arthritis. As psoriasis is also an autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis has some symptoms in common with rheumatoid arthritis. It can affect any joints, but most commonly occurs in the hands, knees, ankles, and feet. In severe cases, it can cause permanent damage or deformation to a joint. The condition varies from person to person, with some experiencing symptoms in many joints and others in only one or two.
Septic Arthritis
This is a serious but treatable form of arthritis that occurs when joint tissues get infected. Usually, this condition will only affect one joint. However, a person with septic arthritis will experience intense pain in that joint accompanied by swelling. The colour of their skin around the joint may also change colour. At its most severe, a person with septic arthritis will feel unwell and develop a fever. Symptoms develop quickly. If a person experiences the symptoms of septic arthritis, they should make an urgent appointment with their GP or call 111 for support. People who already have rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk, but it can also affect people who have recently had joint surgery or experienced an injury near a joint.
Gout
This type of arthritis causes sudden and severe joint pain, usually in a single joint. Most cases of gout occur in the big toe. As well as pain, gout also causes skin to become hot and swollen around the affected joint. Most cases of gout pass on their own in about a week. However, people should consider medical attention if the pain gets worse and they start to feel feverish. Men are, generally, more vulnerable to gout. Other risk categories include people who are overweight, who drink alcohol, and who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
The sooner a person receives an arthritis diagnosis, the easier it is to manage. Doctors will look for tender joints and restricted movement, as well as inflammation and swelling. Most tests for arthritis involve X-Rays or blood tests. These can help determine whether a person has arthritis, and which type it is. Other tests include:
- > MRI Scans to identify the prevalence of inflammation.
- > CT Scans to get a more detailed look at bones and other tissues affected by arthritis.
- > Synovial Fluid Analysis to test the fluid in joints for signs of inflammation.
- > Ultrasound to locate signs of inflammation in joints.
- > Biopsy to check joint tissues for signs of arthritis.
What Causes Arthritis?
Due to the wide variety of arthritis types, there are also a wide variety of causes. However, there are certain factors that can increase the likelihood of arthritis developing. These include:
- > Age
- > Obesity
- > Family History
- > Previous Joint Injuries
- > Smoking
How to Treat Arthritis
Most cases of arthritis cannot be cured. However, the symptoms can be managed with medications, therapies, and gadgets.
Lifestyle changes are often one of the first treatments recommended to people living with arthritis. A change of diet and losing weight can help to reduce the intensity of symptoms. The latter, in particular, can take weight off of joints, reducing pain. Moreover, adopting certain exercise routines can help to improve range of motion.
Anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers can be prescribed to make symptoms more tolerable. Medication such as ibuprofen can also improve mobility, though some cases of arthritis may require stronger medication to manage. These may include injections for arthritis.
Arthritis injections involve the injection of steroids into the joint tissue to reduce inflammation. These treatments may not be available for people with other health conditions, however, or injections may need to be more regular.
Other recommended therapies for arthritis include the use of more homeopathic remedies. For example, massage can help to relieve joint pain, as can heat or cold therapy. Heat can relieve pain, whilst cold can reduce swelling. A further option may be to receive acupuncture treatment.
In some circumstances, a doctor may suggest surgery as treatment. Operations include joint repair, joint replacement, and joint fusion. However, this will usually be a last resort.
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