The symptoms of arthritis usually grow over time which makes it not constant but they may also appear suddenly due to some factors which will be discussed later. Based on research, the distinctive age for developing arthritis is between the ages of 30 and 50. It can, however, affect children, adolescents, and youths.
Although it is not common for arthritis to start at a young age because it’s common among older aged people. It can often surface after the age of 50 or 60 years, but there is research that proves radiographic cases of this illness occur in women in their 40s. It also tends to be very prevalent in individuals who are obese and overweight.
Are you wondering why most people feel very sharp pains in their joints at an old age or even at young age?…. Well, in this article we will be understanding one of the reasons for this pain and how to manage or prevent it.
Arthritis is a swelling that leads to inflaming of the joints. Its effects can be felt on one joint or multiple joints. There are different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods.
Let’s discuss the various types of arthritis, there are more than 100 types of arthritis in the World today but for the purpose of this article, we will be dealing with the most common arthritis in society.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in society. This type of arthritis can destroy and wreck almost any joint but mainly affects the hands, spine, hips, and knees. OA was long ago considered a wear-and-tear disease in which the cartilage of the body (the protective layer of the joints) got weak after years of use. But with further research, the perspective and myths about OA have changed. Health specialists now know that OA is a disease of the whole joint, not just cartilage. Bones in affected joints become less active and get weaker, the connective tissue that keeps the joint together deteriorates and inflammation damages the joint lining. Contrary to age-long belief, inflammation plays a key role in OA, just as it does other types of arthritis.
Autoimmune Arthritis / inflammatory Arthritis
A healthy immune system is a protection for the body. It generates enzymes to fight infections and heal injuries. But in inflammatory arthritis, the immune system is overactive, assaulting healthy tissue, including joints in the spine, hands, and feet instead of diseases. In some people, inflammation becomes systemic, destroying the eyes, skin, heart, and vital organs of the body. Many, but not all types of inflammatory arthritis are considered autoimmune illnesses because the immune system loses its capability to distinguish itself from foreign bodies and combat the body it’s supposed to safeguard.
The immune device is the body’s only self-defense system, and it protects us from infections and illness. When anyone has an auto-immune condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly assaults the body’s wholesome tissues, such as the joints, inflicting inflammation.
Inflammation is typically an important device in the immune system. It happens when the body sends greater blood and fluid to a region to combat an infection. Inflammation is usually as a result of excess immune bodies trying to fight a particular infection. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most familiar form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis.
Infectious Arthritis
A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection is usually the main cause of infectious arthritis. It usually begins when an infection from another part of the body moves through to a joint, usually the knee. Signs like swelling, pain and fever can be immediate and serious, but treating such arthritis with antibacterial drugs or antifungals usually removes and kills the infection fast. Most bacterial and viral infections last a week or two and go away on their own. Most people with infectious arthritis may need to have their joint fluid removed to allow the removal of infected synovial fluid, reduce pain and inflammation and prevent joint destruction.
Gout (Metabolic Arthritis)
Metabolic or gouty arthritis (popularly known as gout) is a type of arthritis that is formed from a buildup in joints of painful uric acid crystals. These are a waste product of the breakdown of purines (substances found in human cells and many foods, especially red meat, organ meats, some seafood, and alcohol). Usually, the body gets rid of too much uric acid, but when it is unable to do so, it can form in joints, causing sharp, immediate, and intense pain, especially in the big toe.
Most times, people with high uric acid levels never develop gout and most patients with gout have normal uric acid. Some investigation suggests that certain factors in addition to uric acid might be the cause of gout. Possible reasons for this may include disruptions in the microbiome and even the existence of white blood cells in the fluid inside joints.
It is medically believed that most patients experience only one gout attack or pain, and never have other symptoms. They usually don’t require medication. People who have more than one gout symptom are typically prescribed uric acid-lowering medications. Those drugs can have severe side effects (and may not address the real problem), so in addition to taking medication, patients are advised to adopt a plant-based, low-purine diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and low-purine sea foods.
EFFECTS OF ARTHRITIS
Reduced mobility: As arthritis grows in the body you may encounter less pleasant movement. This can interfere with your daily activities and may keep you from your favorite routines as well as interacting with others. People suffering from arthritis usually suffer from uneasy mobility and at worst most end up being unable to move from place to place due to pain in the joints.
Possible weight gain: This is usually a result of reduced movements and physical activities, due to the pain that comes with arthritis keeps you from exercising which leads to weight gain and this is usually one of the major effects of Arthritis. Being heavy with an inflammatory condition like arthritis may enhance and aggregate your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart illnesses.
Inflammation in other areas of your body: If your arthritis is caused as a result of an autoimmune disease, the inflammation can spread and take a toll on your skin, eyes, blood vessels, and lungs.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, individuals who suffer from arthritis are more likely to experience a breakdown and possible fractures. This is mainly caused by relative muscle weakness, but dizziness from pain medications can also lead to falls.
Decreased ability to work: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aggregates that about 60 percent of people who have arthritis are unable to engage properly in daily work activities due to reduced joint strength and pain associated with pain from this illness. Arthritis may affect your efficiency and capability to move around in the workplace or even get from your mode of transportation to your job site.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF ARTHRITIS
There are various symptoms that are involved in arthritis illness because there are over 100 different varieties of this illness. Some of the possible symptoms of arthritis could be;
- Pain in various areas like the joints, ankle, back, fingers, hands, muscles, neck, or wrist
- Pain can be intermittent or sharp
- Agonizing pain can occur while sitting or in other positions.
- Joints of the body suffer from stiffness, tenderness, or swelling
- Decreased range of motion, difficulty walking, or muscle weakness
- The whole body suffers from constant fatigue or weakness due to the inactivity of the joints.
- Joint deformity, flare, skin redness, or stiff neck.
Other symptoms may apply to various individuals.
The causes of many types of arthritis are not all known. Most types of arthritis are said to be ignited by a defect in the immune system that causes the body to destroy its tissues in the joints. This may be genetically inherited. Other types of arthritis can be elicited by problems with the immune system or by a metabolic issue in the body, such as gout.
Arthritis may be caused but not limited to the following reasons
- Wear and tear of a joint from overuse:
It is very important to engage in physical activities for the optimum strengthening of The body’s cores but in a situation whereby the joints are over-stressed, this could lead to arthritis.
- Age:
Another cause of Arthritis is aging. As the body ages, it undergoes changes, and most times these changes are against the human body and could cause faint deterioration to the joints and how they function. Weakness in the joint can cause arthritis and other inflammation to the joints as tissues that are expected to keep the joint firm are weak due to aging.
- Injuries
Direct injuries to the joints can cause arthritis, and few people who engage in activities that inflict their joints with injuries have the risk of suffering from arthritis.
- Obesity
Adding up too much weight is Also one of the common causes of arthritis in people. Having excess weight can have a toll on your joints and this has a stress impact on your joints which could cause the soft tissues in the joints to wear and tear. It is important to keep a certain weight level to avoid arthritis caused by obesity.
- autoimmune disorders
Most arthritis is caused by a disorder of the immune system, this is known as an “autoimmune disorder”. This is a situation whereby the immune system of the body confuses internal bodies with external bodies and starts fighting against them instead of fighting against viruses. A situation whereby the immune system attacks the joints can lead to arthritis.
- Genes or family history
Most patients of arthritis are usually gotten from their genetics, in a situation where a person has a family history of people suffering from this illness there is a possible risk of also suffering from this illness especially when precautions are not taken to curtail this illness.
- Sugar
Ingesting excess sugar in the body has the ability to cause bone aches and joint pains which could in the long run if not managed lead to wear and tear in the tissues causing arthritis.
PREVENTION FOR ARTHRITIS
Although there is no possible cure for arthritis in society today. It has been medically proven that some precautions can be taken to manage and prevent arthritis. Some of these preventive measures are;
- Eat your omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat. They have many uses and benefits, including reducing inflammation in the body. Medical investigation has also shown that omega-3s limit arthritis activity in the joints. If you’re vegan, try omega-3s that are not produced by fish like nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, plant oils, such as soybean, canola oil, eggs, and soy beverages.
Omega-3 supplements are also a good way to get this nutrient for your body.
- Manage your weight and exercise
Your knees have to support the pressure of your body. Being heavy or having obesity can take a real toll on joints. If you’re just overweight, the force on your knee as you take each step increases which is bad for you. People with a high body weight are up to 4.55 times more likely to develop knee Arthritis than individuals at a balanced weight. Obesity is also linked to a higher risk of different types of arthritis.
Diet and exercise can help your body lose weight, and your joints and muscles carry your body easily.
- Treat any infections
Bacteria and viruses don’t only exhibit symptoms like coughing and sneezing when they make you sick. Some of these germs can also contaminate your joints and cause arthritis.
Infectious arthritis, also called septic arthritis, is an excruciating form of joint illness caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Usually, these viruses get into the blood vessels and migrate to the joint or the fluid around the joint. This type of arthritis can be treated with antibiotics.
- Visit a medical practitioner regularly
If you begin to develop arthritis symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, see a doctor or rheumatologist. The damage from arthritis is usually gradual, meaning the longer you avoid seeking treatment, the more damage that can occur to the joint. A medical practitioner may be able to advise on treatments or lifestyle interventions that can slow the progress of your arthritis and preserve your movements.
CONCLUSION
Arthritis is a very dangerous illness that destabilizes the activities of the joints and other parts of the body, the joints are significantly the source of mobility of the body. It is important to take note of early signs of arthritis to avoid escalation, proper dieting and exercise should be in consideration, and remember to always visit trusted medical practitioners and health centers for help and proper diagnosis. Remember your health is wealth!!!.
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