Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that impacts the joints and causes symptoms like stiffness, swelling, and pain. It mainly affects the joint’s function and leads to discomfort and restricted mobility. This disease is a combination of more than 100 different joint problems rather than a single illness. Early detection and effective treatment approaches are increasingly becoming possible with the advent of healthcare technology, especially AI in healthcare.

There are different types, such as rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis. Although it is more prevalent in older adults, it can impact people of all ages.

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Symptoms

Arthritis symptoms can range from mild to severe, with their frequency and intensity varying based on the type and the individual.

• Joint Pain: It is the main symptom and can worsen with activity or movement. Although this pain can occur in any joint, the main locations are mostly the knees, spine, hips, and hands.
• Swelling: Because of inflammation in the affected joint, swelling occurs, making it feel painful or tender to the touch.
• Stiffness: Stiffness associated with arthritis is usually most significant after long periods of inactivity or in the morning, leading to difficulty moving the joints freely.
• Redness Around the Joints: The skin color in the surrounding area of the affected joint turns flushed or red due to inflammation.
• Limited Range of Motion: It can become difficult to move joints, as the arthritis grows, leading to difficulty performing everyday tasks.
• Fatigue: Chronic inflammation and pain can result in fatigue, causing difficulty for people to stay active.
• Warmth in the Affected Area: It will feel warm when touching the inflamed joints due to excessive blood flow.

When to See a Doctor

If you observe chronic swelling, stiffness, or joint pain that isn’t relieved with proper rest or symptoms such as significant deformities, difficulty moving joints, or serious pain that disrupts daily activities, demand urgent medical attention. Early diagnosis can help prevent further damage to joints and enhance treatment results.

It is especially important to visit a doctor when the symptoms persist for more than a few weeks as if left untreated, they can result in permanent joint damage. FitwellHub provides medical advice from experienced and specialized doctors who comprehensively evaluate your symptoms and offer a personalized treatment plan. To schedule an appointment with a doctor to get expert advice, visit FitwellHub.

Causes

Arthritis causes vary based on type, but most of the types of arthritis are associated with lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. Here are some of the causes:

1- Genetic Predisposition

Some forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, can spread in families, indicating a potential genetic component that raises vulnerability.

2- Autoimmune Disorders

In autoimmune types such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s tissues. Such a situation results in inflammation of the joints.

3- Infections

Infections in the joint or elsewhere in the body can trigger. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections may result in joint inflammation.

4- Injury or Trauma

A person with a history of joint surgeries or injuries can raise the chances of development in the future.

5- Age-Related Wear and Tear

With the increase in age, the cartilage that supports the joints may wear down, resulting in osteoarthritis.

6- Obesity

Additional pressure on weight-bearing joints like hips and knees, and contributes to arthritis due to being overweight.

7- Metabolic Imbalances

Conditions such as gout can lead to abnormal production of uric acid in the body which produces crystals in the joints, resulting in swelling and pain.

Risk Factors

Various risk factors may increase the risk of arthritis development. Although some of them are uncontrolled, others can be treated through lifestyle modifications.

• Gender: Females are more prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis than males, while men are more susceptible to gout.
• Occupation or Lifestyle: Activities or jobs that include heavy lifting or repetitive motion can lead to joint wear and tear, raising the chances.

Studies indicate that approximately 12.9% of patients visiting rheumatology clinics in Karachi are diagnosed with rheumatoids, with a higher prevalence among women than men (about 4:1).

Complications

If left untreated, it can cause several complications by affecting the joints and other parts of the body and can worsen with time.

• Joint Damage: If arthritis remains untreated, it can damage the joints permanently and create difficulties in performing simple daily tasks.
• Chronic Pain: Progressive inflammation and joint dysfunction can result in constant pain, restricted movements, and a poor quality of life.
• Mobility Issues: With the disease progression, joint pain and stiffness can decrease mobility, leading to difficulty climbing stairs, walking, or doing other tasks.
• Bone Erosion: In conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation can gradually destroy the bone around the joint, resulting in more complications.
• Deformities: Some arthritis types may result in visible joint deformities, especially in the feet or hands, because of joint and bone damage.
• Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis can raise the chances of stroke and heart disease, referring to prolonged health risks.

Prevention

Although it can’t be completely prevented, particular lifestyle modifications can decrease the chances or at least delay its development.

1- Maintain a Healthy Weight

Keeping a healthy weight decreases the stress on both joints, especially the hips and knees, that sustain most of the body weight.

2- Exercise Regularly

Light exercises like cycling, swimming, and walking assist in strengthening muscles around the joints and enhance flexibility without placing too much stress & anxiety on them.

3- Protect Your Joints

Taking care of joints may help minimize joint wear and tear, such as keeping the body in good posture, avoiding repetitive movements, and using supportive devices when required.

4- Eat a Balanced Diet

A healthy diet, rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, may assist joint health and decrease inflammation. Foods like berries, fatty fish, and leafy greens are especially beneficial.

5- Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is essential to minimize the risks because it can raise the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation.

6- Manage Stress Levels

Stress can increase inflammation and worsen the symptoms of arthritis, so it is essential to adopt healthy ways to manage stress.

FitwellHub provides a Healthy Elite Lifestyle Program that assists in preventing disease by guiding healthy habits. To explore more, visit our help page.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing arthritis frequently starts with a medical history and physical evaluation. The test given below assists in assessing the intensity of inflammation, joint damage, and overall well-being.

Diagnostic Method	Purpose	Details
Physical Examination	To evaluate joint health and assess the severity of the disease	The doctor checks both joints for warmth, redness, swelling, range of mobility, and symptoms.
Blood Tests	To identify markers of inflammation and specific antibodies linked to arthritis	Detects anti-CCP antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF), and other inflammation indicators.
X-rays	To examine the extent of joint damage and related disorders	Assesses joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and damage common in osteoarthritis.
MRI	To detect early symptoms and detailed images of soft tissues	Provides detailed imaging of tendons, cartilage, and other soft tissues.
Ultrasound	To visualize soft tissue damage and detect fluid or inflammation around joints	Offers clear images to assess inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around joints.

FitwellHub provides comprehensive diagnostic services to assist in detecting arthritis promptly and examining the intensity of the condition.

Treatment

The main purpose of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and restore joint function. Based on the type and intensity, some typical procedures are:

• Medications: To manage symptoms of arthritis, prescription, anti-inflammatory, and over-the-counter medications or pain relievers are used.
• Physical Therapy: It includes strengthening muscles around the joints and improving joint flexibility. It helps to improve joint function and relieve pain.
• Surgery: Repair surgery or joint replacement can be essential in severe cases to reduce pain and improve joint function.

Medications

Several medications are prescribed to treat different forms. A few commonly prescribed medications are:

1- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen assist in reducing inflammation and pain in the joints. They are usually used for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

2- Corticosteroids

This medication involves prednisone, which can decrease inflammation and suppress the immune system in autoimmune such as rheumatoid arthritis.

3- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Medications such as methotrexate slow the rheumatoid progression and reduce joint damage by targeting the immune system.

4- Biologics

Biologic response modifiers like adalimumab or infliximab target specific immune responses that cause inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

5- Analgesics

Pain relievers such as acetaminophen assist in managing pain associated without decreasing inflammation. These medications are usually used for less intense types of arthritis.

FitwellHub Pharmacy provides multiple arthritis medications, offering convenient access to the treatment options you need. Visit our pharmacy to place your order for arthritis medications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)