3 Things To Know About Arthritis
Do you have joints that are swollen and tender? If so, you may have a condition called arthritis. While elderly people are believed to be the only ones to get arthritis, the condition is common for all age groups. According to the CDC, 54 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis. Sixty percent of these adults are between the ages of 18 and 64. Unfortunately for some, arthritis is debilitating and interferes with work and everyday activities.
If you want to better understand this condition, here are three things you should know about arthritis.
1. Know the Different Types of Arthritis
There are many different kinds of arthritis. The kind of arthritis you have will largely depend on which joints of the body are affected and what other symptoms are present.
The most common kinds of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis. Caused by the overuse of weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, spine, and feet.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Occurs when the body's immune system attacks the joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis. Caused by an inflammatory skin disease called psoriasis.
- Gout. Occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, especially in the big toe.
- Lupus. Caused by a problem with the immune system and affects joints all throughout the body.
Other types of arthritis include ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Know the Risk Factors for Arthritis
Your risk of getting arthritis increases as you age. This is due to the fact that the older you get, the more wear and tear there is on the joints throughout your body. Since extra body weight puts stress on the joints, obesity is another risk factor for arthritis.
A family history of arthritis and previous joint injuries are risk factors as well. Men are more likely to get some types of arthritis, such as gout, while rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women. Those who have jobs that require repetitive movements are also at risk for certain kinds of arthritis
3. Know the Treatment Options for Arthritis
Arthritis treatment usually depends on the type, cause, and which joints are affected. For example, an more overweight person might have arthritis in their knees. Losing weight usually helps relieve the pain and inflammation in the knee joints.
If none of these noninvasive methods reduce pain and inflammation, surgery may be necessary. Joint repair, joint replacement, or joint fusion are all surgical procedures that can help to treat arthritis. For more information about arthritis treatments, contact a local health care clinic.