Arthritis can affect both adults and children. The joints of your hands, feet, hips, spine, and elbows are all at risk. There are several types of arthritis of varying degrees of severity. When it comes to arthritis the causes symptoms and treatments all depend on the type you have and on how much damage has been done to your joints.
At the outset all forms of arthritis cause similar symptoms but over time the exact symptoms will vary from person to person. If you have arthritis, it’s important to know that there are several things you can do that will help prevent your condition from becoming worse and also help with the associated pain.
Types of arthritis
There are two main types of arthritis. They are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and both can be very painful.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is most common in people in their mid-40s or older. Women and people with a family history of the condition are the most at risk.
However it can occur at any age as a result of an injury or in association with other joint-related conditions, like gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of your joints. This makes movement more difficult than usual, and leads to pain and stiffness.
Eventually the cartilage lining becomes roughened and thinner which means the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This leads to swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes.
In severe cases the loss of cartilage can cause bones to rub on each other and forced out of their normal position.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The most common age of onset is between 40 and 50 years old and women are 3 times more likely to be affected than men.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling.
The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected. When this spreads across the joint it results in swelling and a change in the joint’s shape. This may cause the breakdown of your bone and cartilage.
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis you are at greater risk of other auto immune problems affecting other tissues and organs.
Other forms of arthritis can be reactive following an infection or injury.
Symptoms of arthritis
- tender, stiff and painful joints
- inflammation in and around your joints
- restricted movement of your joints
- warm red skin over the affected joint
- weakness and muscle wasting
The most commonly affected joints are those in the hands. knees, hips and spine.
Lifestyle changes to help arthritis symptoms
- Stay as hydrated as possible by drinking lots of water each day and taking warm baths.
- Stress is known to make arthritis symptoms worse, so try not to let your arthritis get to you.
- You should also avoid those high-risk foods that can make your arthritis symptoms even worse.
- Limit your alcohol, caffeine, sugar, saturated fats, and junk food. These kinds of foods are known to cause arthritis symptoms to worsen.
- When you’re sitting, keep your knees bent and your back straight and use proper posture.
- Consider wearing elbow pads to help relieve pain in your elbows. There are specially designed elbow pads that offer an extra layer of padding for people who have arthritis.
- Visit a massage therapist. Many people with arthritis find that massage is helpful in relieving some pain that can come with arthritis. Massage therapists can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis by massaging your joints.
- A warm bath can help.
- There are some natural treatments for arthritis that you may want to try.
Arthritis treatments
There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can help slow it down. the treatment for Osteoarthritis include the lifestyle changes mentioned above, medicines and surgery.
In rheumatoid arthritis the aim is to slow down the progress and minimize inflammation to help prevent damage to the joints. You may be offered prescription medication, physiotherapy or surgery.
Talk to your doctor about any worries you have over your condition. In extreme cases you may need to wear braces or use splints to help reduce the pain that comes with arthritis.
Arthritis is a very painful condition that can affect anyone. To get relief from the pain associated with arthritis, try these tips. Get as much sleep as you can and eat healthy foods to keep your body healthy and your joints strong. Try to maintain a positive frame of mind even though you are in pain. A positive mindset will help you deal with the pain.
This has been just a brief look at arthritis causes, symptoms and treatments. You definitely need to be properly diagnosed by a medic who will be able to monitor your condition and progress.
