What is Arthritis?
Arthritis refers to more than a 100 different types of diseases and conditions affecting joints, tissues surrounding the joints and other connective tissues. It commonly presents as swelling, pain, stiffness and a decreased motion range of joints. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, progressively getting worse with time.
Arthritis is most commonly experienced by adults over 65 years of age and women. It can have significant impacts on daily life, work and activities, sometimes also involving the immune system and multiple organs. Arthritis can be inflammatory, degenerative, infectious or metabolic.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most prevalent forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form affecting almost eight million people. It has a gradual onset after 40 years of age. It affects the smooth cartilage lining, making movement more difficult. It is a degenerative joint disease, involving the joint cartilage, lining and ligaments. The most affected areas are the knees, hips, hands and spine.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form affecting almost eight million people. It has a gradual onset after 40 years of age. It affects the smooth cartilage lining, making movement more difficult. It is a degenerative joint disease, involving the joint cartilage, lining and ligaments. The most affected areas are the knees, hips, hands and spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It affects more than 400,000 people, usually starting between 40 and 50 years of age. It is a long-term condition that occurs when the body’s immune system targets joints. Persistent inflammation leads to degeneration of cartilage and bone, causing deformity, pain and swelling. It may cause premature mortality and disability. The most affected areas are hands, feet and wrists.
Symptoms for arthritis can develop gradually or suddenly, and varies with the type.
Commonly experienced symptoms include;
- Pain – can be constant, or comes and goes, might be isolated or felt in many parts
- Swelling – skin over the affected joint swells
- Stiffness
- Difficulty moving a joint
Symptoms can also be specific to the type of arthritis developed.
Osteoarthritis
- Joint tenderness
- Pain and stiffness in joints, which is worse after exercise or pressure
- Enlarged, knobbly joint
- Rubbing, grating sound when joint is moved
- Pain causing sleep disturbance.
Rheumatoid arthritis
- Affects joints on both sides of the body equally
- Chest pain when taking a breath
- Dry eyes
- Numbness, tingling or burning sensation in hands or feet
- High temperature
- Weight loss
Arthritis has a significant impact on daily life causing pain, stiffness and decreased motion range. It is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation. Testing for the presence of antibodies and hormones, that often cause the condition, can determinethe cause for joint pain and stiffness, allowing you to manage the condition early on. It can also help determine if prescribed anti-inflammatory medication is proving to beeffective.
