Arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different conditions that involve inflammation of any part of a joint, including the joint lining (synovium), cartilage, bones, and supporting tissues. Arthritis can affect one, a few, or many joints throughout the body.
The most common types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis
- The most common type of arthritis
- Tends to develop with age
- A chronic condition in which the cartilage between bones that cushions the joints wears down and as it does, the bones rub against each other causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced joint motion
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
- Can also affect the heart, lungs, skin, and eyes
- Unlike some other forms of arthritis, it affects both sides of the body
- Psoriatic arthritis
- An inflammatory type of arthritis that can occur in people with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes fast skin cell growth and renewal
- Commonly occurs in large joints of the lower extremities such as the knees and ankles but can affect any joint
Other types of arthritis include:
- Infectious arthritis
- Childhood arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Joint symptoms are the main symptom of most types of arthritis. Five common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Joint pain/tenderness
- Joint stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Joint redness/warmth
- Limited joint movement/decreased range of motion or flexibility in the joints
Depending on the type of arthritis, other symptoms that may accompany joint symptoms include:
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Headaches, including migraines
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration
- Pain in the face or jaw, including temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Arthritis is diagnosed with a medical history and physical examination, along with laboratory and imaging tests.
Tests used to diagnose arthritis include:
- Blood tests
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) for SLE
- Arthrocentesis (also called joint aspiration or joint tap)
- X-rays (also used to monitor changes in the joint over time)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
What Is the Treatment for Arthritis?
Treatments for arthritis include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve)
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Medications that suppress the immune system (such as prednisone or methotrexate)
- Antibiotics for bacterial joint infections
- Physical and occupational therapy
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References
REFERENCES:
Image source: iStock Images
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/arthritis-beyond-the-basics?search=Arthritis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=9~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=9
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html
https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/foods-to-limit/8-food-ingredients-that-can-cause-inflammation
Image source: iStock Images
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/arthritis-beyond-the-basics?search=Arthritis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=9~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=9
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html
https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/foods-to-limit/8-food-ingredients-that-can-cause-inflammation