Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the joints. It refers to more than 100 different types of joint conditions that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Arthritis can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, but it is more common in older adults. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA):

   • Cause: Degenerative joint disease where the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time.
   • Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, and loss of flexibility. It commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
   • Risk Factors: Age, joint injury, repetitive stress, obesity, and genetics.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):

   • Cause: An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, leading to inflammation.
   • Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, often affecting multiple joints on both sides of the body. It can also cause systemic symptoms like fatigue and fever.
   • Risk Factors: Genetics, gender (more common in women), and environmental factors like smoking.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis:

   • Cause: Associated with the skin condition psoriasis, it can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
   • Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, often with skin and nail changes.
   • Risk Factors: Having psoriasis, family history, and age.

4. Gout:

   • Cause: Caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints.
   • Symptoms: Sudden and severe attacks of pain, redness, and swelling in the joints, commonly the big toe.
   • Risk Factors: Diet high in purines, obesity, certain medications, and kidney disease.

5. Ankylosing Spondylitis:

   • Cause: A type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing pain and stiffness.
   • Symptoms: Chronic back pain, stiffness, and in severe cases, the spine can fuse, leading to a hunched-forward posture.
   • Risk Factors: Genetics, particularly the HLA-B27 gene.

Symptoms:

• Joint Pain: The most common symptom, which can range from mild to severe.
• Stiffness: Particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
• Swelling: Joints may appear swollen, and the skin over the joint may look red and feel warm.
• Decreased Range of Motion: Difficulty moving the joint or using it to perform everyday tasks