Arthritis:A Life Changing Pain

Arthritis: A Concern:

Simpler term which describes Arthritis is the inflammation in the joints or also termed as “Joint Inflammation”. The cause, treatment and necessary concerns depends on the type of the Arthritis as it varies. Arthritis is commonly caused in the adult aged 65 years or more, whereas it can affect minors as well as young aged adults too.

Arthritis is described as the medical condition which affects joints causing stiffness, pain and swelling which also develops inflammation surrounding the infected joint. This kind of the cause bothers the infected individual’s day to day routine when the symptoms start to develop at its pace.

Types of Arthritis:

The cause of Arthritis is identified to affect as many different types but the major 5 types of arthritis which is commonly affected to individual is described in this article further:

1. Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis)

A disorder known as mechanical arthritis also is entailed to harm the cartilage which is bound at the bones ends. The primary function of the cartilage is to protect joints and its gliding motions. In the condition of Osteoarthritis, the cartilage results to thinner and rough in its movements which results in damage and pain. In order to make up for the loss of cartilage and to rebuild the joint function, the body functions in the way to rebuild the bone of restore the function of cartilage stability. And this rebuilding and restoring function can give rise to osteophytes which is known as unfavourable growth of bones.

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/osteoarthritis/

2. Connective tissue disease (CDT):

Connective tissue consists of tendons, ligaments and cartilage and they help in binding tissues and organs together for its movements and functions. The major symptoms of CTD (Connective tissue disease) is inflammation and discomfort in the joints. The major

observable symptoms are sore muscles whereas the areas of lungs, kidneys and skin having the affected connective tissue experience inflammation.

Examples of Connective Tissue Disease includes: Dermatomyositis, Lupus, and Sclerosis or Scleroderma.

3. Infectious Arthritis:

Occasionally, inflammation can be caused in the joints by microorganism such as bacteria, viruses and fungi which results in infectious arthritis.

Joint-infecting microbes include: Gonorrhoea and chlamydia (Transmitted sexually), Shigella and salmonella (Transmitted through contaminated food), Hepatitis C (Infectious blood needle/infected blood).

https://www.vejthani.com/diseases-conditions/septic-arthritis/

4. Metabolic Arthritis:

When human body consumes food and digestion begins in the body, a substance called purines is generated which when breaks down creates uric acid. Here, uric acid is passed out in the form of urination when it tends to dissolve in the body or else in the blood. Every individual’s body function different when it comes to uric acid, as in some individual produce uric acid is more amount or some individual cannot dissolve it their body. Such situation gives rise to medical condition where the uric acid accumulates in the form of crystals in the muscles/joints and causes gradual or sudden pain.

The known medical condition Gout comes and go causes the pain in the different areas of the body affecting toe, hands and neck. Gout like condition arises when the individual’s

body is not able to digest the protein as food intake and it rises uric acid and eventually extreme pain in the joints.

https://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/what-you-should-know-about-metabolic-arthritis-gout-symptoms-diagnosis- treatment

5. Childhood Arthritis:

The most prevalent kind of arthritis which is researched refers to: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (IRA). Here in this cause immune system of the infants might be the reason. It is to be known so far that the treatment for the childhood arthritis is not known and as the result it damages the joints permanently. However, there is a known possibility of remission during the dormant stages.

https://jewelautismcentre.com/jewel_blog/juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Symptoms of Arthritis:

Depending on the type of arthritis which if caused the symptom will be varied based on that. However, it is known to be the chronic disease so the symptoms can start to appear gradually or suddenly and the persistence is also dependent on the type as well.

The following are the few quick notice signs which should not be avoided by anyone who experience the warnings:

1. Difficulty in moving: If anyone experience such difficulty in the joint movements while doing daily chores/activity which gives pain or hardness, it should not be avoided.

2. Swelling: The affected area or joint will create a redness around it which is visible onto the skin and gives redness/bulginess.

3. Pain: Symptom of pain in arthritis is constant or occasional. It may come or go and sometimes it feels painful more than one part of the body.

4. Stiffness: Stiffness is experienced when the position is not changed for a longer time and it results in immense pain which is occasional as well as persistent.

Causes of Arthritis:

As like the symptoms of the arthritis, the cause is also dependent on the type mainly. Here, the few possible cause which is generally the major reason is mentioned below:

- An abnormal diet which results in poor metabolism can result in gout or metabolic arthritis.

- Dysfunction in the immune system of the children/adult can result in IRA, lupus, RA.

- Medical condition of genetic heritance can result in osteoarthritis.

- An injury in the joint/muscles can also be the reason for the cause.

- An infection due to contamination, sepsis and microorganisms.

However, there is not any particular cause which needs to be prevented but once it is noticed there are several ways to take it into consideration and check up onto consultation as the medical condition of arthritis is unpredicted and can lead to emergency.

Treatment of Arthritis:

To control the pain, damage and improve the condition of patients there are multiple ways to adapt when the individual is affected with arthritis and the following data provides the detail onto it:

1. Medication:

Depending on the type of arthritis the treatment is always taken forward by the medical expert. Here are mentioned few known drugs which are researched for the pain relive and improvements.

- Analgesics: Tend to reduce pain. Example: Acetaminophen

- Biological Drugs: Genetic engineered drugs. Example: Enbrel, Remicade which targets protein molecule and triggers immune response.

- Counterirritants: Rubbing creams and ointment which can be used as spray or directly applied on skin to relive the pain or inflammation.

- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Corticosteroids.

2. Natural remedies:

Balancing diet and avoiding certain food/drinks, following home remedies and exercising/yoga can help any aged individual to recover from arthritis and live better quality of healthy life.

i. Treat arthritis naturally at home in your own nut shell:

Wearing right attire/shoes for the feet, knees and any joint can relive and improve pain. Using designated gadgets in lifestyle can provide ease. Moreover, take rest, following proper diet and balancing weight and maintaining through exercise can help the cause.

ii. Diet: Following a balanced diet and including few nutrients can relive or improvise the pain/inflammation to far extent. According to the study of the scientific journal nutrients certain food should be avoided and certain nutrients are must to be included.

Food which needs to be reduced/avoided:

- Red meat, Sugar, Alcohol, Coffee

Food which needs to be increased/consumed in the diet:

- Fruits and vegetables, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, whole grains. Legumes, fatty fishes

iii. Physical exercise and Yoga therapy:

iv. To ease the pain in the cause of arthritis, The arthritis Foundation recommended few forms to adapt in day-to-day life:

Walking, Swimming, Cycling

Aerobic exercise, Cardio, Motion exercise

Tai chi and Yoga which is beneficial in reliving the pain and improving flexibility, give strength to muscles.

Strengthening exercises which includes weight lifting and muscle stretching and movements.

3. Herbal medicines:

Herbal supplements are proven to relive pain and reduce the pain and stress on being dependent on medical drugs. Few herbal products which are known for arthritis are mentioned here:

- Ginger, Turmeric, Boswellia, and Claws

4. Surgery:

As per the symptoms of the patient who is affected with any type of arthritis, the medical professionals decide the in-vivo treatments. Here, there are few known treatments which is considered surgical options to cure arthritis:

- Osteotomy, Join replacement, Fusion and Synovectomy

Summary:

The article is designed to conclude the medical condition named Arthritis. It explained the definition on what actually happens and what are the types which can be identified in the layman term. Further, the symptoms and cause were discussed of the condition which eventually varies from the type of arthritis but the base of the symptoms remains common.

Further, treatments are discussed of various types which is general for the cause along with the balanced diet to the treatment of surgery. In the condition of arthritis, involvement of medical professionals and experts of the field are required for the better treatment and clarity of the disease.

https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Osteoarthritis.aspx

Article Author: Niti Panchal