What Are the Types of Arthritis?
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This condition usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the body’s own defense system doesn’t work properly. It affects joints and bones (often of the hands and feet), and may also affect internal organs and systems. You may feel sick or tired, and you may have a fever.
Gout
Another common type of arthritis, gout, is caused by crystals that build up in the joints. It usually affects the big toe, but many other joints may be affected.
Arthritis is seen with other conditions
lupus (LOOP-us), in which the body’s defense system can harm the joints, the heart, the skin, the kidneys, and other organs
An infection that gets into a joint and destroys the cushion between the bones.
What causes arthritis?
Most types of arthritis are caused by a combination of several factors working together. The following factors may contribute towards a higher arthritis risk:
Your genetic makeup
A physically demanding job, especially one with repetitive movements
A previous injury
Some infections or allergic reactions may cause short-term arthritis. When it is caused by an infection it is known as “reactive arthritis”
For a number of people certain foods can either bring on arthritis symptoms, or make existing ones worse
Obesity, which places extra strain on joints
Arthritis may also be caused by autoimmune disease
Can Osteoarthritis Be Prevented?
Here is what doctors recommend to reduce the risk of OA or delay its onset.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Excess weight is one of the biggest risk factors for OA – and for good reason. Extra pounds put additional pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Each pound you gain adds nearly four pounds of stress to your knees and increases pressure on your hips six-fold. Over time, the extra strain breaks down the cartilage that cushions these joints.
Control Blood Sugar
The latest research suggests that diabetes, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose), may be a significant risk factor for OA. That’s because high glucose levels speed the formation of certain molecules that make cartilage stiffer and more sensitive to mechanical stress. Diabetes can also trigger systemic inflammation that leads to cartilage loss.
Get Physical
Physical activity is the best available treatment for OA. It’s also one of the best ways to keep joints healthy in the first place. As little as 30 minutes of moderately-intense exercise five times a week helps joints stay limber and strengthens the muscles that support and stabilize your hips and knees. Exercise also strengthens the heart and lungs, lowers diabetes risk and is a key factor in weight control.
Play It Safe
Because cartilage doesn’t heal well, an injured joint is nearly seven times more likely to develop arthritis than one that was never injured. Although injuries aren’t always avoidable, it pays to protect your joints. If you play sports, wear protective gear, such as joint padding for soccer or hockey. And make sure any baseball field you use has break-away bases. At home or work, use your largest, strongest joints for lifting and carrying and take breaks when you need to. After an injury, maintaining a healthy weight can help guard against further joint damage.
OA becomes more common as people age, though why this occurs isn’t clear. One idea is that the number of cartilage cells simply diminishes over time. Because more women than men develop OA, especially after age 50, lower estrogen levels after menopause may also play a role.
References
http://www.arthritistoday.org/
http://www.niams.nih.gov//
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
