Common Causes, Symptoms and Treatments for Arthritis The word “arthritis” means “joint inflammation.” Inflammation is one of the body’s natural reactions to disease or injury and includes swelling, pain and stiffness. If inflammation lasts for a very long time or recurs, as in arthritis, it can lead to tissue damage. A joint is where two or more bones come together, such as the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, spongy material called cartilage, which cushions the bones and allows the joint to move without pain. The joint is lined by a thin film of tissue called the synovium. The synovium’s lining produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction. Strong bands of tissue, called ligaments, connect the bones and help keep the joint stable. Muscles and tendons also support the joints and enable you to move. With arthritis, an area in or around a joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness and, sometimes, difficulty moving. Some types of arthritis also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and internal organs. What causes this condition from occurring? There are many different types of arthritis and the cause of most types is not known. It’s likely that there are many different causes. Researchers are examining the role of genetics (heredity) and lifestyle behaviors in the development of arthritis. As a matter of fact, there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. The most common types include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). All of them are known for causing pain in different ways. In OA, the protective cartilage and fluid inside the joint begin breaking down due to years of use or injuries. This makes the movement of affected joints more difficult and painful. In time, bones may rub directly against one another inside the joint, causing severe pain. Inflammation can also result from this constant, painful friction. OA most often affects knees, hips, hands, and the spine. In most cases, OA does not affect the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both knees. The intensity of pain varies from person to person. It can range from mild to moderate and may be manageable with drugs and regular physical activity. But for some it can be debilitating, making any movement of the affected joint almost impossible. To ease pain and reduce inflammation, regular doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are needed. To only relieve pain, acetaminophen may be effective with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. If pain is severe, an analgesic combined with an opioid, such as codeine or hydrocodone, is prescribed. In severe cases, surgery to replace the damaged joint may be the only effective treatment. Non-medicinal pain relief has proven very beneficial for people with OA. These treatments include hot & cold therapy, topical rubs, exercise, physical therapy, and others. In RA, the joints are attacked by the body’s own immune system. The immune system normally protects a person from viruses, bacteria and other invaders. In people with autoimmune conditions (like RA), it becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissue. In the case of RA, the immune system goes after the lining of the joints, called the synovium. This causes a severe, chronic inflammation in the affected joints as well as low-grade inflammation throughout the whole body. Over time, the persistent inflammation breaks down the joint and damages it permanently. RA typically affects the joints on both sides of the
body, such as both knees or both hands. Besides joints, RA can also affect internal organs like the liver, heart, spleen, and eyes. People with RA often have flares of pain caused by sudden onsets of severe inflammation. The flares may last for days or weeks. The pain caused by RA is usually treated by medications to control the disease by calming down the malfunctioning immune system. These include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic response modifiers (biologics). In addition, NSAIDs or analgesics may be taken. In children, this type of inflammatory arthritis is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Like in RA, in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) the immune system attacks the joints and causes inflammation and pain. It typically appears in people who have psoriasis. PsA can affect any joint in the body. Besides swollen joints, PsA often causes tenderness or pain in the connective tissue where tendons or ligaments attach to bones (called the enthesis), such as at the heel or bottom of the foot. Lower back pain is also common. The pain and inflammation in PsA is managed and treated similarly to RA. Although the exact cause of arthritis may not be known, there are several risk factors for arthritis. (A risk factor is a trait or behavior that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease or predisposes a person to a certain condition.) Risk factors for arthritis include: Age. The risk of developing arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, increases with age. Gender. In general, arthritis occurs more frequently in women than in men. Obesity. Being overweight puts extra stress on weight-bearing joints, increasing wear and tear, and increasing the risk of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, San Antonio, has a significant amount of individuals who are obese and are likely to develop with arthritis. Work factors. Some jobs that require repetitive movements or heavy lifting can stress the joints and/or cause an injury, which can lead to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. Construction workers in San Antonio, for example, could develop arthritis due to all of the construction that occurs in the city on a daily basis. The symptoms of osteoarthritis may include joint pain and progressive stiffness that develops gradually. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs, and wrists occurring in the same joints on both sides of the body, especially upon awakening. Symptoms of infectious arthritis may include fever, chills, joint inflammation, tenderness, and sharp pain that is associated with an injury or infection elsewhere in your body.
In children, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia, or blotchy rash on the arms and legs, may signal the onset of some types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Other forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are associated with joint stiffness, a limp, or joint swelling. You should call your local doctor from Gonzaba Urgent Care in San Antonio about arthritis if:
● The pain and stiffness come on quickly, whether from an injury or an unknown cause. ● The pain is accompanied by fever. ● The pain develops quickly and is associated with redness and extreme tenderness of the joint. ● You notice pain and stiffness in your arms, legs, or back after sitting for short periods or after a night's sleep.