Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Arthritis
Severe arthritis in hand which was not treated The inflammation in the joints found in one or more body parts is called Arthritis. There are over 100 types of arthritis, and all of these types have different causes and treatments. Arthritis symptoms usually appear on a gradual basis but there are certain types that may show symptoms suddenly. Arthritis is most common among adults that are over the age of 65 but children and teens could also develop this condition. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are more susceptible to arthritis along with those who are overweight. The Causes of Arthritis Cartilage is a connective, flexible tissue in joints which absorbs the shock and pressure created from movement like walking and running. It also allows smooth movement and protection for joints.
Certain forms of arthritis can be caused due to reduction in the regular amount of cartilage tissues. Osteoarthritis is caused by the regular wear and tear experienced all through the life. It is one of the most common types of arthritis. The natural breakdown of the cartilage tissue can be aggravated by injury or infection to the joints. Individuals who have a family history of this disease generally have a higher chance of developing osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is another form of arthritis that is very common. It occurs when the immune system of the body starts attacking the tissues. These attacks have an effect on the synovium that is responsible for the secretion of a fluid which lubricates the joints and nourishes the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis can sooner or later cause the destruction of both the cartilage in the joint and the bone. The real reason for the attacks by the immune system has not been discovered yet, but researchers have discovered the genetic markers that significantly increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Signs of Arthritis Of all the symptoms of arthritis the most common involve the joints. Stiffness and pain in the joints along with swelling of joints predominantly in the morning
are typical signs of arthritis. The sufferer could also experience skin redness around the joint and a gradual decrease in the range of motion of the joints. Loss of appetite, slight fever and tiredness are also symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This happens due to the inflammation caused by the attacking immune system. It could also make the patient anemic, which is a condition in which the red blood cells within the body are severely reduced. Severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis if left untreated can lead to the deformation of the affected joints. Diagnosis of arthritis The diagnosis of arthritis begins with a physical examination of the affected area by a Lake elsinore rheumatologist. During this examination, the Riverside rheumatologist will check for red or warm joints, fluid around the joints and the joint’s limited range of motion. Extracting and analysing bodily fluids like joint fluid and blood for inflammation levels can help the rheumatologist determine the type of arthritis that's affecting the joints. Imaging scans like CT scanners, MRI and x-ray can also be used to produce an image of the cartilage and bone. These images can be used to determine if the symptoms are the result of a bones spur.