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Arthritis is a disease that is generally related to pain or stiffness in the joints, and although it is quite common, it is not immediately diagnosed. Arthritis is also not a single disease – there are more than 100 species and affects people of all ages, genders, and races. In fact, it is the leading cause of disability in America with more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children.
But it is important to note that arthritis occurs most often in women and increases as people get older. Arthritis can cause permanent changes in the joints according to doctors, and these changes can be seen on the finger joints, but often the damage is only visible on an X-ray. Although there are dozens of types of arthritis, there are 3 types that are the most common:
1. Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis and has to do with the ‘wear and tear’ that occurs on your joints over time. Usually this type of arthritis occurs with age, but it is also found in people with obesity because weight puts extra strain on the joints. Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the knees, hips, feet, and spine.
Symptoms
- Deep, painful pain
- Trouble dressing, combing hair, gripping things, bending over, squatting, or climbing stairs. depending on which joints are involved
- Morning stiffness for less than an hour
- Pain when walking
- Stiffness after resting
And our joint may be:
- Warm to the touch
- Swollen and harder to move
- Unable to move through a full range of motion
Treatments for osteoarthritis are as follows:
- Management of symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Improving joint mobility and flexibility that can be achieved with therapy
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting enough exercise
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, is an autoimmune disease. RA attacks certain parts of the body, but especially the joints, leading to inflammation and can cause serious joint damage if left untreated. RA usually affects multiple joints at once, and symptoms can be gradual or appear suddenly.
Symptoms
- Rheumatoid nodules. These form in approximately 1 in 5 people, and are usually formed over articular areas that are under great pressure such as the knees, elbows, or heels.
- Pain and stiffness
- Swelling in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, feet, jaws, and neck.
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite or weight
Treatment
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.
- Corticosteroid drugs are fast-acting drugs to reduce inflammation.
- disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs are drugs that act to modify the course of the disease.
- Surgery is an option for people with RA whose mobility has been severely limited.
3. Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis: a condition of red, raised and mottled skin that is inflamed and scaly. About 30% of people first have this skin condition and then develop psoriatic arthritis. PsA is actually an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue and joints of the body causing inflammation, joint pain and stiffness. It can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms
- Painful swollen joints
- Pitted or discolored fingernails
- Sausage-like fingers or toes
- Stiffness
- Pain in tendons or ligaments
- skin rash (such as those associated with psoriasis)
- Fatigue
- Reduced range of motion
- Eye problems such as redness or irritation
- Flares
- Psoriatic arthritis is also closely linked to Crohn’s disease
Treatment
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.
- Corticosteroid drugs are fast-acting drugs to reduce inflammation.
- disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs are drugs that act to modify the course of the disease.
What to do if you identify any of these signs or symptoms
If you recognize any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine if you have arthritis and what to do next. You can also search the Arthritis Foundation for a complete list of different types of arthritis, as well as their page with tools and resources that contains treatments, medications and tips for treating arthritis.
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