Know All About Different Types of Arthritis
Over 100 disorders affecting the body's joints are grouped under the word, arthritis. The articulation or the meeting place of two bones in the body is known as a joint. The shoulder, elbows, wrists, knuckles, fingers, hips, knees, and ankles are some examples of joints. The best orthopaedic hospital in Delhi and other places have people of all ages seeking treatment for arthritis, ranging in severity from moderate to severe.
According to recent studies, smoking, alcoholism, poor eating habits, obesity, and other risk factors can lead to the initiation of arthritis among young people. A family history of certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and spinal arthritis further increases the risk.
Most common types of arthritis
Among the wide range of conditions that are broadly known as arthritis, the following most common ones:
Symptoms and tests performed to confirm arthritis
Many factors can lead to developing arthritis in an individual. Certain forms of arthritis are immune-mediated. It implies that they are the result of a compromised immune system. Such types of arthritis are characterized by immune system cells attacking body tissues that make up the joints. This results in the weakening of the tissues leading to pain, redness, soreness, decreased joint mobility, and inflammation in and around the affected joint(s).
Fatigue, generalized debility, and/or weight loss are some other symptoms of arthritis. Additionally, metabolic weakness, ongoing medical issues, post-surgical trauma can bring on arthritis from sports injuries, or other accidents, repetitive motions that put a strain on the affected joint, and inactivity.
By performing specific radiological tests such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI/CT scan on the afflicted joint, arthritis may be identified. To confirm the presence of arthritis, the orthopaedic specialist may additionally suggest pathological tests such as the RA test, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, vitamin D test, and bone mineral densitometry. These tests demonstrate bone loss and the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis symptoms. The rheumatologist would examine the radiological results for any signs of arthritis-causing cartilage loss or joint space constriction.
Spinal arthritis
Obesity, advanced age, and certain medical disorders such as diabetes, gouty arthritis, psoriasis, TB, irritable bowel syndrome, and Lyme disease can contribute to the development of spinal arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
The aetiology is an inflammation of the facet joints in the spine or the sacroiliac joints that connect the spine to the pelvic cavity. The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a degenerative and non-inflammatory condition. It results from the cartilage supporting the joints deteriorating naturally from wear and tear. The symptoms become obvious when executing specific physical actions such as bending, internal and external rotation, abduction and adduction, and more. Due to the thinning of the intervertebral discs, facet joints need to bear more pressure, causing potential damage to the joints.
When arthritis affects the neck, it is referred to as cervical spondylitis. If it affects the lower back, it is called lumbar spondylitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The ageing of the joint does not result in spinal rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis is inflammatory. Even when the joints are not moving, symptoms like pain, inflammation, and sensitivity can still occur. Women are more likely to develop this type of arthritis compared to males.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the healthy joint tissues, damaging the cartilage and leading to discomfort, inflammation, and joint deformity in the affected joints. Cervical spine damage is another complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Quick medical intervention is required.
The ligaments and tendons that connect the joints to the bones are also affected by spondyloarthritis. Spondyloarthritis includes three different types: reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that is inherited because of the presence of the HLA-B27 gene.
Typical symptoms of spinal arthritis
How to prevent arthritis?
There are many ways to prevent arthritis. However, if detected, prompt medical intervention is necessary. Visit the best orthopaedic hospital in Delhi or other places and start treatment at the earliest. Usually, the doctor prescribes analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines to slow down the progression of the disease. These medicines are also called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs are often prescribed for inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In severe cases, you may have to turn to surgical prosthetic implants to replace or repair the damaged joints.
Lifestyle corrections
Your doctor may also advise certain changes in your habits and lifestyle. This includes following a specific diet comprising nuts and food items rich in calcium such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and dry dates. Fruits such as figs, blackberries, kiwis, oranges, tangerines, mulberries, papayas, pears, and passion fruits are also great sources of calcium. Other excellent sources of calcium are vegetables such as broccoli, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, mustard, beetroots, okra, and swiss chard.
Ensure your meals are loaded with multivitamins, proteins, carbs, and fats. If you are susceptible to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, calcium supplements may help. Eating a balanced meal in the appropriate quantity is the key to maintaining a healthy physique.
Be physically active
Regularly perform specific physical activities that aid in regaining joint mobility. Exercise improves your vitality, balance, and reduces joint discomfort besides reducing joint stiffness, exhaustion, and depression. The best exercises are swimming, aerobics, and cycling. You may be referred to a physiotherapist/chiropractor to start with the right kind of exercise for the affected joints.
Exercise can be particularly uncomfortable in the early stages of arthritis. However, as joint mobility improves, the pain gradually goes away.
Exercises that build muscle and brisk walking are beneficial because they increase blood flow to the injured joint. Plus, it prevents the development of any future health issues including diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, or cardiac issues.
Conclusion
Like most medical conditions, arthritis gets worse with age and time. Therefore, do not ignore joint discomfort and pain for long. If you notice regular pain in one or more joint areas, visit the best orthopaedic hospital in Delhi or your city or town of residence and seek a medical opinion. Choose a state-of-the-art facility that has skilled, competent, and experienced orthopaedic doctors. If physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, occupational therapy, or any other form of rehabilitation is recommended, seek treatment accordingly. Arthritis will not get better by itself, so there is no point in delaying medical care.
According to recent studies, smoking, alcoholism, poor eating habits, obesity, and other risk factors can lead to the initiation of arthritis among young people. A family history of certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and spinal arthritis further increases the risk.
Most common types of arthritis
Among the wide range of conditions that are broadly known as arthritis, the following most common ones:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Gout’s arthritis
- Juvenile arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
- Scleroderma
Symptoms and tests performed to confirm arthritis
Many factors can lead to developing arthritis in an individual. Certain forms of arthritis are immune-mediated. It implies that they are the result of a compromised immune system. Such types of arthritis are characterized by immune system cells attacking body tissues that make up the joints. This results in the weakening of the tissues leading to pain, redness, soreness, decreased joint mobility, and inflammation in and around the affected joint(s).
Fatigue, generalized debility, and/or weight loss are some other symptoms of arthritis. Additionally, metabolic weakness, ongoing medical issues, post-surgical trauma can bring on arthritis from sports injuries, or other accidents, repetitive motions that put a strain on the affected joint, and inactivity.
By performing specific radiological tests such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI/CT scan on the afflicted joint, arthritis may be identified. To confirm the presence of arthritis, the orthopaedic specialist may additionally suggest pathological tests such as the RA test, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, vitamin D test, and bone mineral densitometry. These tests demonstrate bone loss and the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis symptoms. The rheumatologist would examine the radiological results for any signs of arthritis-causing cartilage loss or joint space constriction.
Spinal arthritis
Obesity, advanced age, and certain medical disorders such as diabetes, gouty arthritis, psoriasis, TB, irritable bowel syndrome, and Lyme disease can contribute to the development of spinal arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
The aetiology is an inflammation of the facet joints in the spine or the sacroiliac joints that connect the spine to the pelvic cavity. The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a degenerative and non-inflammatory condition. It results from the cartilage supporting the joints deteriorating naturally from wear and tear. The symptoms become obvious when executing specific physical actions such as bending, internal and external rotation, abduction and adduction, and more. Due to the thinning of the intervertebral discs, facet joints need to bear more pressure, causing potential damage to the joints.
When arthritis affects the neck, it is referred to as cervical spondylitis. If it affects the lower back, it is called lumbar spondylitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The ageing of the joint does not result in spinal rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis is inflammatory. Even when the joints are not moving, symptoms like pain, inflammation, and sensitivity can still occur. Women are more likely to develop this type of arthritis compared to males.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the healthy joint tissues, damaging the cartilage and leading to discomfort, inflammation, and joint deformity in the affected joints. Cervical spine damage is another complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Quick medical intervention is required.
The ligaments and tendons that connect the joints to the bones are also affected by spondyloarthritis. Spondyloarthritis includes three different types: reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that is inherited because of the presence of the HLA-B27 gene.
Typical symptoms of spinal arthritis
- Chronic headaches (commonly observed in arthritis of the neck)
- Afflicted vertebral swelling
- Spine stiffness and discomfort
- Grinding sensation on the movement of the spine
- Anxiety, discomfort, and tingling sensation if the nerves are suppressed
- Lower backache
- Fatigue
How to prevent arthritis?
There are many ways to prevent arthritis. However, if detected, prompt medical intervention is necessary. Visit the best orthopaedic hospital in Delhi or other places and start treatment at the earliest. Usually, the doctor prescribes analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines to slow down the progression of the disease. These medicines are also called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These drugs are often prescribed for inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In severe cases, you may have to turn to surgical prosthetic implants to replace or repair the damaged joints.
Lifestyle corrections
Your doctor may also advise certain changes in your habits and lifestyle. This includes following a specific diet comprising nuts and food items rich in calcium such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and dry dates. Fruits such as figs, blackberries, kiwis, oranges, tangerines, mulberries, papayas, pears, and passion fruits are also great sources of calcium. Other excellent sources of calcium are vegetables such as broccoli, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, mustard, beetroots, okra, and swiss chard.
Ensure your meals are loaded with multivitamins, proteins, carbs, and fats. If you are susceptible to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, calcium supplements may help. Eating a balanced meal in the appropriate quantity is the key to maintaining a healthy physique.
Be physically active
Regularly perform specific physical activities that aid in regaining joint mobility. Exercise improves your vitality, balance, and reduces joint discomfort besides reducing joint stiffness, exhaustion, and depression. The best exercises are swimming, aerobics, and cycling. You may be referred to a physiotherapist/chiropractor to start with the right kind of exercise for the affected joints.
Exercise can be particularly uncomfortable in the early stages of arthritis. However, as joint mobility improves, the pain gradually goes away.
Exercises that build muscle and brisk walking are beneficial because they increase blood flow to the injured joint. Plus, it prevents the development of any future health issues including diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, or cardiac issues.
Conclusion
Like most medical conditions, arthritis gets worse with age and time. Therefore, do not ignore joint discomfort and pain for long. If you notice regular pain in one or more joint areas, visit the best orthopaedic hospital in Delhi or your city or town of residence and seek a medical opinion. Choose a state-of-the-art facility that has skilled, competent, and experienced orthopaedic doctors. If physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, occupational therapy, or any other form of rehabilitation is recommended, seek treatment accordingly. Arthritis will not get better by itself, so there is no point in delaying medical care.
