Bones are the structures that keep our bodies moving, and with that in mind, we also quickly realize that we use our bones a lot every single day throughout our lives. And if we use them so much, it’s only natural that at some point they end up having problems, especially when we don’t take proper care of ourselves—but not only then. That’s what happens with arthritis, a disease that mainly affects the elderly, although it can also impact other people. But how do you treat this condition? First, we need to understand exactly what the disease is.

What is Arthritis?

Contrary to what many believe, arthritis is not just a single disease. It’s a name given to different problems—types of inflammation that interfere with a person’s ability to move. These inflammations usually affect the body’s joints, more specifically the cartilage found there, causing our bones to wear down and leading to bigger problems. This type of disease affects women much more than men, mostly elderly people. There is no cure for this kind of inflammation, but there are ways to control arthritis so it doesn’t cause too much damage in our lives.

Types of Arthritis

As we’ve mentioned already, it’s not just one disease, but various forms of inflammation, which is why there are many types of arthritis. They are:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pyogenic Arthritis
  • Degenerative Arthritis

Let’s look more closely at each of these types of arthritis to better understand their effects on our bodies and what sets them apart.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This disease is caused by the immune system. It attacks a person’s cartilage, causing swelling and redness, as well as difficulty moving in many situations.

Osteoarthritis

This type of arthritis is very common and can be caused by several factors: Excess weight, injury, a genetic predisposition, or even natural cartilage wear and tear. It also causes a lot of pain and difficulty moving due to the resulting stiffness in the affected person’s bones.

Pyogenic Arthritis

Caused by bacteria, this type of arthritis can be the most problematic for those who have it, so treatment needs to be intensive right from the start. It primarily affects the knees and shoulders, causing intense pain, but is less common in joints like the elbows and ankles.

Degenerative Arthritis

This disease causes bone growth and, consequently, a lot of pain while moving. Affecting mainly the knees, thighs, and spinal column, degenerative arthritis is a chronic disease.

Causes of Arthritis

Since there are many ways arthritis can develop, there are also many factors that can cause this kind of disease. The main causes of arthritis are:

  • Repetitive movements – Such as training done in excess, which ends up putting strain on the joints.
  • Excess weight – Obesity is one of the factors that can make joints wear down, causing problems like arthritis.
  • Genetic predisposition – It’s common for the disease to develop more in people who are genetically prone to it. For this reason, prevention should be stricter in these cases.
  • Trauma – A person who has suffered some kind of injury that damaged one or more joints may end up developing arthritis, even later on.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Although there are many types of arthritis, some symptoms are common to all of them and can help you identify if you may be suffering from the disease. The main symptoms are:

  • Severe joint pain
  • Swelling in the joints
  • Redness around the joints
  • Difficulty and pain when moving
  • aa

Even though the presence of these symptoms does not directly mean you have arthritis, they may be a sign for you to see a doctor so you can get a proper diagnosis.

How Is the Diagnosis Made?

The orthopedic doctor is responsible for making the diagnosis and confirming if a person really has arthritis. The first thing a doctor does in these cases is analyze the patient’s bone structure through clinical signs and x-rays. In some cases, an MRI or a CT scan may be needed. Even then, the diagnosis is only given after a combination of these exams and a conversation between the doctor and the patient so the patient’s symptoms and concerns can be properly understood.

Risk Factors

There are some groups at higher risk of developing arthritis than others. The main risk factors for this disease are:

  • Women, since the disease affects them much more than men.
  • Frequent injuries and trauma can lead you to develop some type of arthritis.
  • Native peoples of the Americas tend to suffer from the disease more than other groups.
  • White people are more likely to get arthritis than Asians and Black people.
  • Obesity is also a risk factor.
  • Family history, since genetic predisposition is one of the causes of the disease.

How Is Arthritis Treated?

Treatment for this type of disease is carried out through physical therapy and doctor-prescribed medications. Each specific case will require a certain medication and kind of physical therapy, always focusing on the underlying cause. The main purpose of treatment is to end the pain, or at least reduce it, since there is no cure for arthritis.

How to Prevent Arthritis?

As we’ve already mentioned, there are several causes that can lead a person to develop arthritis. And many of these can be controlled, at least in part, to prevent the disease from affecting you. Some of the main ways to prevent arthritis are:

  • Doing stretching exercises
  • Eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and greens
  • Exercising regularly and doing so correctly
  • Staying hydrated at all times

When this disease is not treated, many consequences can occur, making simple activities uncomfortable and forcing you to change your lifestyle, sometimes drastically. The good news is that it is always possible to try to reverse this situation by following the proper treatment as prescribed by an orthopedic doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Doing exercises like walking and water aerobics is an example of how to help counter the harm that arthritis brings. But be careful, don’t push yourself too hard or your condition may worsen. Living with arthritis is possible and, even though it has no cure, it might not interfere too much with your life. Do the treatment correctly and keep up healthy habits so this doesn’t become a huge burden for you. See Also: Food Poisoning in Pregnancy – Is It Dangerous? Photo: Tim Ross