Battling Arthritis: What You Need to Know
May 31, 2023
6 min read
Arthritis is a widespread condition that impacts millions of people worldwide. Approximately 23% of the U.S. population, or 54 million people, are estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to live with some form of arthritis.
This figure includes 24 million who have severe limitations in their activities due to it, and more than 25% report significant joint pain. The costs incurred by lost wages and healthcare expenses related to arthritis amount to $303.5 billion annually—making it a significant source of work disability in the country.
Arthritis: What Is It?
The term "Arthritis" encompasses a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders, with osteoarthritis being the most common, followed by rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Other less well-known forms include psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Arthritis is a condition characterized by joint inflammation that causes discomfort, swelling, and mobility difficulties, including difficulty in movement and handling objects. The severity of symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe disability, depending on the type and intensity of the condition.
Arthritis: What Are the Main Types?
Arthritis affects millions worldwide; however, it manifests in different ways with two primary forms—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both create joint pain but cause distinct damage to the body's bones and tissues.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most prevailing form of arthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage at the ends of bones begins to wear down. This causes pain, and restricted movement as bones start rubbing against each other. Over time, or due to an injury or infection, the damage can increase, leading to bone degeneration and inflammation in the joint lining.
Cartilage deterioration can also lead to bone changes and disruption of connective tissues responsible for attaching muscles to bones and keeping a joint together.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
With rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system mistakenly targets the joint capsule, a protective membrane that encloses all the joint components. This results in inflammation and swelling of the synovial membrane. If left untreated, this can cause further damage to cartilage and bone in the joint.
Arthritis: What Are the Symptoms?
Arthritis can be identified through tell-tale signs and symptoms, most commonly affecting joints. Such manifestations may include:
- Redness
- Immobility
- Discomfort
- Inflammation
- Stiffness
Arthritis: What Are the Other Types?
While it has two primary types, arthritis is also accompanied by unusual and rare forms, such as:
Ankylosing spondylitis. A type of arthritis that results in neck and lower back pain, affecting the spine.
Gout. A type of arthritis results from developing uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to inflammation, redness, and intense pain.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). An autoimmune disease that affects children younger than 16 and can cause joint stiffness and swelling.
Psoriatic arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis manifests as joint pain, swelling, and exhaustion.
Reactive arthritis. This occurs after an infection elsewhere in the body, resulting in painful redness around the joints.
Septic arthritis. It's caused by a bacterial infection in one or more joints resulting in severe inflammation and pain.
Thumb arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the thumb joint, which causes decreased mobility and possible deformity of the thumb joint over time.
Arthritis: What Are the Risk Factors?
The development of arthritis can be brought on by a variety of risk factors, including:
1. Occupation
Occupations that involve repetitive bending and squatting of the knee, such as construction work, factory work, or housekeeping duties, are associated with a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
This type of motion strains the joints, leading to early degeneration of cartilage, which can increase an individual's likelihood of developing arthritis in that joint later in life.
2. Prior Joint Trauma
Adequately treating joint injuries is crucial in minimizing the chances of developing arthritis. Joint damage can cause early cartilage degeneration, increasing an individual's likelihood of developing the condition. Therefore, it is essential to discuss any long-term effects with your doctor that could lead to increased risks for future problems such as arthritis.
3. Excessive weight
Maintaining an optimal weight through regular exercise and a healthy diet is crucial in reducing the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. Being overweight puts a tremendous strain on sensitive joints such as one's hips and knees, increasing the chances of developing this chronic condition.
Staying within a healthy range of weight through managing proper habits is critical for avoiding the long-term effects of this degenerative joint disease.
4. Age
As individuals age, the wear and tear of the joints increases, increasing their risk of developing arthritis. Generally speaking, the older one is, the more likely one will get this chronic condition. Taking preventive measures such as regular exercise or a balanced diet can help minimize the chances of getting this degenerative joint disease.
5. Gender
Studies have indicated that women have a higher likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to men. Taking preventive measures such as regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce the risk, regardless of gender.
6. Heredity
A family history of arthritis can increase an individual's risk of developing the condition. If any of your relatives had or currently have this condition, you must talk to your doctor about how this might influence your risk level. Taking preventive measures such as regular exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce the chances of getting this degenerative joint disease.
Managing Arthritis Through Lifestyle Changes
Visiting your doctor if you are diagnosed with arthritis is crucial in managing the condition. Since there is no cure for most types of arthritis, the emphasis should be on slowing its progression with various treatment methods. It is essential to start as soon as possible and remain diligent in minimizing pain and maximizing joint protection.
1. Maintain Balanced Nutritional Intake
A healthy diet is essential to joint health fruits and vegetables are full of anti-inflammatory nutrients; fatty fish such as salmon and tuna reduce painful swelling. Further, spice turmeric has been proven effective in suppressing arthritis symptoms. Finally, eating for overall wellness mitigates pain and prevents strain on many joints by keeping body weight low.
2. Consistent Physical Activity
To keep your joints in peak condition, an active lifestyle is crucial. You can achieve optimal joint fitness results by combining a healthy eating plan with regular exercise focusing on strengthening muscles around joints, increasing flexibility, and burning calorie intake.
Before starting any physical activity, it's imperative to consult your physician or physical therapist to determine what exercises are best for you and to avoid overexertion by starting slowly.
3. Eliminate Bad Habits
Most people know a few indulgences are harmful to them, but they persist in using them. This may include smoking, drinking, or eating junk food. Once you are diagnosed with arthritis, however, you should re-examine your bad habits and try to quit as many as possible. For example, smoking, drinking, and overeating can interfere with sleep which is crucial for pain tolerance and healing.
Beating the Odds: Living With Arthritis
Diagnosing arthritis can be a challenging experience, but it's essential to educate oneself on the disease to manage it effectively. Knowing the different types of arthritis, risk factors, and symptoms can help individuals better understand and take control of their condition.
Arthritis patients can lead an active and rewarding life with the proper support and modifications to their lifestyle. However, it's always advisable to seek personalized advice and guidance from a healthcare professional in managing arthritis.
