TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS

 

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

 

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. There are around 100 different kinds of arthritis, with various causes and treatment methods. The symptoms of arthritis apparently develop over time, sometimes they also tend to appear suddenly. Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 55, but it also can develop in children, teens and younger adults. Arthritis is more common in women than men and in people that are overweight.

Physical activity features a positive effect on arthritis and may improve pain, function, and psychological state. Factors within the development of arthritis include injury, abnormal metabolism, genetic makeup, infections, and immune system dysfunction. Treatment aims to manage pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain quality of life. It involves medications, physical therapies, patient education and support in order to provide a relief for arthritis pain.

 

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TYPES

The two main types of arthritis that damage joints in different ways.

 

They are;

1.      osteoarthritis

and

2.      Rheumatoid arthritis

 

Apart from this, there are 200 types of arthritis, or musculoskeletal conditions.

 

These are split into seven main groups:

1.      Inflammatory arthritis

2.      Degenerative or mechanical arthritis

3.      Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain

4.      Back pain

5.      Connective tissue disease

6.      Infectious arthritis

7.      Metabolic arthritis

  

CAUSES

There is no single cause of all types of arthritis. The cause or causes vary according to the type or form of arthritis.

Possible causes may include:

1.      injury, leading to degenerative arthritis

2.      abnormal metabolism, leading to gout and pseudogout

3.      inheritance, such as in osteoarthritis

4.      infections, such as in the arthritis of Lyme disease

5.      immune system dysfunction, such as in RA and SLE

Most types of arthritis are linked to a combination of factors, but some have no obvious cause and appear to be unpredictable in their emergence.

Some people may be genetically more likely to develop certain arthritic conditions. Additional factors, such as previous injury, infection, smoking and physically demanding occupations, can interact with genes to further increase the risk of arthritis.

 

SYMPTOMS

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include:

1.      pain

2.      Stiffness

3.      Swelling

4.      Redness

5.      Decreased range of motion

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Risk factors for arthritis include:

1.      Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.

2.      Age. The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.

3.      Your sex. Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men

4.      Previous joint injury. People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.

5.      Obesity. Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. People with obesity have a higher risk of developing arthritis.

6.      Work factors The person’s current lifestyle, with physically demanding occupations. Jobs during which the worker has to keep doing equivalent movements over and over, or does an excellent deal of work, can cause stress within the joints and an injury, which may cause arthritis

7.      Infection. Additional factors, such as infection can interact with genes to further increase the risk of arthritis. Many microbial agents can infect joints and trigger the event of varied sorts of arthritis.

8.      Infection. Additional factors, such as infection can interact with genes to further increase the risk of arthritis. Many microbial agents can infect joints and trigger the event of varied sorts of arthritis.

9.      Comorbidities. More than half of adults with arthritis report high blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with heart disease, the most common comorbidity among adults with arthritis.

 

COMPLICATIONS

Severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to do daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may become twisted and deformed.

 

DIAGNOSIS

During the physical exam, your doctor would check your joints for swelling, redness and heat. They are going to ascertain how well you'll move your joints.Depending on the sort of arthritis suspected, your doctor may suggest a number of the subsequent tests in order to provide therapy and remedies to treat arthritis.

1.      Laboratory tests analysis of varied kinds of body fluids can help pinpoint the type of arthritis you will have . Fluids that are commonly analyzed include blood, urine and joint fluid. In order to get a sample of your joint fluid, your doctor will cleanse and numb the areas before inserting a needle in your joint space to withdraw some fluid, so that they will be able to offer the best treatment

2.      Imaging tests These sorts of tests can detect problems within your joint which will be causing your symptoms. Examples include:

1.      X-rays. Using low levels of radiation to see bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. X-rays might not reveal early arthritic damage, but they're often used to track progression of the disease

2.      Computerized tomography (CT). CT scanners take X-rays from many various angles and mix the knowledge to make cross-sectional views of internal structures. CTs can visualize both bone and therefore the surrounding soft tissues

3.      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combining radio waves with a robust magnetic flux , MRI can produce more-detailed cross-sectional images of sentimental tissues like cartilage, tendons and ligaments

4.      Ultrasound. This technology uses high-frequency sound waves in order to image soft tissues, cartilage and fluid-containing structures near the joints. It is additionally used to guide needle placement for joint aspirations and injections.

 

TREATMENT

Treatment for arthritis aims to regulate pain, minimize joint damage and improve or maintain function and quality of life. It provides relief from pain. A range of medicines and lifestyle strategies could help achieve this and protect joints from further damage.

Treatment might involve:

1.      Medications

2.      Non-pharmacologic therapies

3.      Physical or occupational therapy

4.      Splints or joint assistive aids

5.      Patient education and support

6.      Weight loss

7.      Surgery, including joint replacement