As we age, we all notice changes in our bodies. We put on weight and have a harder time losing it, we start to see thing like our vision and other sense start to fade, and our joints start to ache and hurt. This last symptom is often caused by Arthritis, can cause many problems throughout our lives, and unfortunately can lead to the need for surgeries for many. So what exactly is Arthritis and how can we avoid the problems that come with it?
First of all, Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, the tough membrane that encloses the parts of your joint. This lining, known as the synovial membrane, becomes inflamed and swollen. The disease can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint, and cause serious pain and the need for surgeries over a lifetime.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is due to normal wear-and-tear damage to your joint’s cartilage. Enough damage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.
Causes
Cartilage is the firm yet flexible tissue in your joints that connects your bones together. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put pressure on them. A reduction in the normal amount of cartilage in your joints causes arthritis, though this reduction is due to different reasons for different types of arthritis.
Normal wear and tear causes osteoarthritis. An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Your risk of developing osteoarthritis can be higher if you have a family history of the disease.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. These attacks affect the synovium, and break down your joints over time regardless of wear-and-tear use.
Risk factors
Some of the risk factors of arthritis include:
- Family history – Some types of arthritis run in families. Your genes can also make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
- Age – The risk of many types of arthritis increase normally with age.
- Gender – Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, tend to be men.
- Previous joint injuries – People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
- Obesity – Carrying excess weight puts stress on your joints. Therefore, obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Treatment
The main goal of treatment of arthritis is to reduce the amount of pain you experience and prevent more damage to the joints. Some people find heating pads and ice packs to be soothing, while others use like canes or walkers to help take pressure off the joints. Improving joint function is also important. Your doctor may prescribe you a combination of treatment methods to achieve the best results.
Medication
There are a number of different types of medication that your doctor may prescribe to treat your arthritis. Some examples are:
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- Analgesics – are effective for pain management, but don’t help decrease inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – help control pain and inflammation. Salicylates can thin the blood, so they should be used very cautiously.
- Menthol or capsaicin creams – block the transmission of pain signals from your joints.
- Immunosuppressants – help reduce inflammation.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – suppress your immune system is you have Rheumatoid arthritis.
Surgery
Surgery to replace your joint with an artificial one may be an option. This form of surgery is most commonly performed to replace hips and knees. If your arthritis is most severe in your fingers or wrists, your doctor may perform a joint fusion as well.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy involving exercises that help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint is a core component of arthritis treatment. Physical Therapy can help improve your joint health without the additional need for medications or surgeries.
Prevention
Eat fish: fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have a number of health benefits, and they can reduce inflammation in the body.
Weight control: Your knees have to support your body weight. Being overweight or obese can take a real toll on your knees. Overweight women are almost four times more likely to get knee osteoarthritis than women of a healthy weight.
Exercise: takes the stress of excess weight off your joints and also strengthens the muscles around the joints. This stabilizes them and can protect them from added wear and tear.
Avoid Injury: Over time, your joints can start to wear out, but injuring your joints damages the cartilage and cause it to wear out more quickly. Always use the proper safety equipment while playing sports, and learn the correct exercise techniques.
Protect your Joints: Using the right techniques when sitting, working, and lifting can help protect joints from everyday strains.
Visit your Doctor: If you develop arthritis, see your doctor. The damage from arthritis is usually progressive, meaning the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more destruction can occur to the joint.
Conclusion
In a perfect world, pain wouldn’t exist, our weight would be optimal and we’d enjoy daily exercise and have energy to spare. But the world is not perfect, and sometimes our bad habits get in the way of our best intentions to live a healthy life. You can make small changes toward adopting a healthier lifestyle and reduce your arthritis symptoms. If you feel that you may be developing Arthritis, go see you doctor, and make the life changes you need today.
