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Types of Arthritis

Types of Arthritis

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5 Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, discover some of the most prevalent kinds, including what they are, what occurs, and how they present.

What is Osteoarthritis? This type of arthritis affects more people than any other. It is the “wear and tear” that results from overusing your joints. It typically occurs with advancing years, but it can also result from joint damage or obesity, which puts more strain on your joints.

The most common sites it affects are joints that support weight, such as your spine, hips, knees, and feet. It frequently develops slowly over months or years. The injured joint aches as a result. However, unlike certain other varieties of arthritis, you don’t feel ill or tired.

What occurs is that your body’s shock absorber is lost. The slick substance that covers the ends of bones, and cartilage, degrades with time.

One illustration is the damage that being overweight can do to your knees. As the cartilage is pushed between the bones as a result of the added weight, it is put under more pressure. There is less of it to cushion the joint when it is worn down and injured.

Movement is painful because of the injured cartilage. When the roughened cartilage on the outside of the bones grinds against one another, you could hear a grating sound. On the ends of your bones, particularly on your fingers and feet, you could develop uncomfortable spurs or lumps. Although osteoarthritis seldom causes inflammation of the joint lining, it is possible.

Which joint or joints are afflicted determines the symptoms. You might have:

  • Intense discomfort
  • Depending on which joints are affected, you may have difficulty getting dressed, combing your hair, grasping objects, bending over, squatting, or ascending stairs.
  • Often lasts less than 30 minutes in the morning stiffness
  • Walking with pain
  • Stiffness following rest

Your joint could be:

  • Warm to touch
  • Swollen and more difficult to move
  • Unable to fully extend the range of motion

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? An autoimmune condition is RA. It follows that the immune system targets the body’s tissues, particularly the joints. This results in inflammation, which if left untreated can seriously harm joints. Rheumatoid nodules, which are skin lumps caused by rheumatoid arthritis, appear on about 1 in 5 patients. These frequently develop over pressure-sensitive joint regions, such as the knuckles, elbows, or heels.

The precise cause of RA is unknown to medical professionals. According to some specialists, the immune system begins to attack your joints after becoming “confused” by a bacterial or viral illness. Other body parts may become involved in this conflict.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1, two inflammatory substances produced by the body, are thought to activate other immune system components in rheumatoid arthritis. TNF, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 inhibitor medications help lessen symptoms and stop joint deterioration.

The onset of symptoms might be gradual or abrupt. Compared to osteoarthritis, they are frequently more severe.

The most typical ones are:

You may experience discomfort, stiffness, and swelling in your neck, jaw, knees, ankles, feet, shoulders, wrists, and hands. Multiple joints are typically affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

several swelling joints Small joints in your wrists, hands or feet are typically affected.

a balanced design. The knuckles on your right hand will likely be inflamed if the knuckles on your left hand are. You might discover that more of your joints start to hurt or swell over time.

stiffness in the morning that can continue for several hours or possibly the majority of the day. Additionally, you can experience weariness and discover that you’ve lost weight and your appetite.

What is Psoriatic Arthritis? Psoriasis and joint inflammation are symptoms of this illness in sufferers (arthritis).

Patchy, raised, red, and white regions of inflammatory skin covered in scales are a symptom of psoriasis. The scalp, navel, tips of the elbows and knees, and the skin surrounding the genital regions or anus are the typical places affected.

Only 10 to 30 percent of those who have psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.

Although it can begin as early as childhood, this type of arthritis typically manifests between the ages of 30 and 50. It affects both men and women equally. Psoriasis, a skin condition, typically manifests first.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include finger and toe swelling. Additionally, the fingernails of those who have it are frequently pitted or discoloured.

Some people only have joint pain in one or a few joints. For instance, you might just have it on one knee. Sometimes it only affects the fingers and toes or the spine.

What is Gout? Uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint. It’s usually your big toe or another area of your foot.

After a night of drinking, you frequently wake up with a sudden, acute pain in your big toe. But a gout episode can also be brought on by medicines, stress, or another condition.

Even if you ignore the attack, it will last between 3 and 10 days. The interval between episodes may be months or even years, but eventually, they can become more common. Additionally, they might endure longer. Gout can harm your joints and kidneys if left untreated for an extended period of time.

One of the following three causes of gout:

More uric acid is being produced by your body.

Your body produces uric acid, which your kidneys are unable to process.

You consume an excessive amount of meals that boost uric acid levels.

They nearly always start out quickly. You’ll observe:

  • It will likely be in your big toe, but it may also be in your ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, or fingers. Intense joint pain.
  • Discomfort: Your joint will continue to hurt even after the sudden pain subsides.
  • Redness and inflammation: The affected joint will be swollen, painful, and red.
  • Joint stiffness: It will be difficult to move.

What is Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune condition commonly known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. Many internal organs as well as your joints may be impacted.

What occurs: Although the exact cause of lupus is unknown, something causes your immune system to malfunction. Your body begins to experience inflammation and pain throughout, from your joints to your organs to your brain, instead of fighting off viruses and other intruders.

Compared to men, women who are fertile are more prone to have lupus. More African-American women than white women experience it. It typically manifests between the ages of 15 and 44.

Symptoms:

  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Swelling in the hands, feet, legs, eyes, or legs
  • Bruises, such as a “butterfly” rash on the cheeks
  • Oral sores
  • Sensitive to the sun
  • Hair loss
  • When exposed to cold, one may get blue or white fingers or toes (Raynaud’s phenomenon).
  • Blood conditions like anaemia and insufficient amounts of platelets or white blood cells.
  • Chest pain is brought on by an infection of the heart’s or lungs’ lining.