Arthritis

Arthritis is a medical condition that damages the body’s joints, causing discomfort and pain. It can range from mild to severe and can affect people of all ages. Arthritis is not one disease alone, but an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that affect the joints of the body. Joints are points where two or more bones meet, such as in the wrist, knuckles, hips, knees and ankles. Arthritisis has different types: Degenerative Arthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, Infectious Arthritis, Metabolic Arthritisa and Diagnosing Arthritis.

When the joint symptoms of osteoarthritis are mild or moderate, they can be managed by balancing activity with rest, using hot and cold therapies, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening the muscles around the joint for added support, using assistive devices, taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicines, avoiding excessive repetitive movements. If joint symptoms are severe, causing limited mobility and affecting quality of life, some of the above management strategies may be helpful, but joint replacement may be necessary. Osteoarthritis can prevented by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding injury and repetitive movements.

Symptoms of arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis vary from person to person. But if you have arthritis, you will almost certainly have symptoms relating to your joints, such as: pain,swelling,redness and heat, stiffness or reduced movement. Some people also get other problems outside their joints. Other common symptoms include: tiredness,weight loss, skin problems or feeling unwell

Risk factors for arthritis

Certain risk factors have been associated with arthritis. Some of these are modifiable while others are not.

Non-modifiable arthritis risk factors:

• Age: the risk of developing most types of arthritis increases with age.
• Sex: most types of arthritis are more common in females, and 60 percent of all people with arthritis are female. Gout is more common in males than females.
• Genetic factors: specific genes are associated with a higher risk of certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ankylosing spondylitis.

Modifiable arthritis risk factors:

• Overweight and obesity: excess weight can contribute to both the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis.
• Joint injuries: damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.
• Infection: many microbial agents can infect joints and trigger the development of various forms of arthritis.
• Occupation: certain occupations that involve repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee

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