Arthritis is a common illness that many are already familiar with.
But, just to quickly recap, arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It usually affects one or more joints.
However, what most people might not know is that there are hundreds of different types of arthritis. And each of these types have different causes and treatments. This is where it gets tricky.
Osteoarthritis or OA and rheumatoid arthritis or RA are two of the most common types. Usually, symptoms of arthritis start small, and develop over time. However, it can also appear suddenly.
Usually, older adults, or seniors over the age of 65 are the ones who experience arthritis. But some types of arthritis can develop in children, teenagers, and younger adults.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
Common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling on the affected area, stiffness, redness around the skin of the affected area, and limited range of motion. A lot of patients diagnosed with arthritis experience worse symptoms in the morning.
Those who have rheumatoid arthritis may also experience loss of appetite as a symptom, as well as anemia, and a slight fever. If left untreated, severe rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint deformity.
The Main Causes of Arthritis
There are many different factors that may cause arthritis. One of the most common is wear and tear on the cartilage. It can also be caused by an infection or injury to the joints, family medical history, autoimmune disorders, and more.
Usually, arthritis is diagnosed through imaging scans. This can include X-ray scans, CT scans, MRI, and etc. for doctors to see an image of your bones and cartilage. Through these tests, doctors can rule out other causes of the symptoms the patient may be experiencing.
Arthritis Treatments
Now, as mentioned above, there are different treatments for each type of arthritis. These treatments are used to reduce the amount of pain the patient may experience. Treatments can also help prevent additional damage to the patient’s goal.
Treatments usually include medications, heating pads, ice packs, the use of mobility assistance devices, such as canes and walkers, and etc.
If you suspect that you, or someone you know may have arthritis, be sure to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to help you customize a treatment plan for your situation.
