In arthritis, one or more joints swell and become tender. A common symptom of arthritis is joint pain and stiffness, which worsens with age. The two most common forms of this condition are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid.

Arthritis is a rheumatic disease. It is a cluster of distinct illnesses, each with its characteristics, treatment, complications, and treatment outcome.

These conditions are likely to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, and many can affect internal body areas.

As a result of osteoarthritis, the cartilage – the hard, slippery tissue at the end of bones that covers joints wears away. The autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the joints.

Crystals occur when your blood has too much uric acid, leading to gout. Arthritis is frequently caused by infections or underlying disorders such as lupus or psoriasis.

Different forms of arthritis necessitate other treatment options. Arthritis treatments attempt to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

How Do You Know If You Have Arthritis?

As arthritis is a joint disease, it is more common in adults than young people. So the number of older people who have arthritis is way more than young adults. But this doesn’t mean that young people can’t get it. Arthritis is a disease that can develop in anyone regardless of their age. 

However, with age, our immunity weakens, and diseases significantly increase. Because of this reason, healthcare workers, particularly the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, need to pay special attention to the signs and symptoms of arthritis in their patients.

Having said this, let’s look at some of the most prevalent signs of arthritis.

● Joint tenderness, inflammation, redness, and warmth are common symptoms of arthritis inflammation. 

● Tenderness in the swollen joint is also common. 

● There is a possibility of a loss of range of motion and deformity. 

● The surrounding tendons may also be painful and swollen in some forms of arthritis.

● Joints such as the hands, wrists, ankles, feet, back, and neck can suffer from arthritis.

● Occasionally or continuously experiencing pain is possible.

● Symptoms can flare up (flare-ups) in some types of arthritis.

A few types of arthritis are more of a hassle than a severe medical condition. Despite this, many people suffer from discomfort and disability due to arthritis or its complications daily.

In addition, due to the nature of arthritis as a rheumatic disease, many types of arthritis can affect organs in the body that do not directly affect the joints.

Therefore, some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also experience the following symptoms.

● Feelings of fever

● Inflammation of the glands

● Loss of weight, exhaustion

● Being unwell (sickness)

● It can include symptoms caused by abnormalities in the heart, lungs, or kidneys.

Red Flags for Arthritis

The four warning signs of arthritis that prompt you to seek medical attention are:

Pain

Arthritis causes constant or periodic pain and can occur when resting or moving. It may be localized or widespread.

Swelling

A warm sensation can be felt when the skin over the affected joint becomes red and swollen. A doctor should be consulted if inflammation lasts for three days or occurs more than three times a month.

Difficulty moving a joint

You don’t want to have trouble getting up from your favorite chair. If you have restrictions in mobility, it’s a clear warning that you need to seek medical aid immediately.

Stiffness

Classic arthritis symptoms include stiffness in the hands and feet, especially after rising early in the morning, sitting at a desk for a long time, or riding in a car for a long time. An increase in morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour indicates arthritis.

Most Common Types of Arthritis

The most common types of arthritis are:

● The ankylosing spondylitis disease

● The gout

● Idiopathic arthritis in children

● Osteoarthritis

● Arthritis psoriatic

● Inflammatory arthritis

● Arthritis rheumatoid

● The septic arthritis

● Thumb arthritis

How does arthritis develop?

The following factors may contribute to arthritis:

● Joint wear and tear

● aging (OA is most common in adults over 50 years of age)

● Injury

● Weight gain

● Immune disorders

● Genetics or family history

● Weak muscles

Arthritis Rheumatoid

Another form of arthritis, RA, is a disorder of the immune system. Your immune system attacks tissues in your body, causing inflammation of joints and other organs.

These inflammatory responses in the joints cause synovium. This soft tissue lubricates the joints and feeds the cartilage, eventually destroying bone and cartilage.

The cause of the immune system’s attacks is not known. However, scientists have discovered genetic variants that significantly increase your RA chances.

OA or Osteoarthritis

The most widespread type of arthritis is OA, caused by wear and tear on cartilage – the hard, slick coating that covers the ends of bones where they join. As the ends of the bones are cushioned by cartilage, joint motion is nearly frictionless.

However, if enough cartilage is damaged, the bones can grind directly against one another, which causes pain and restricts movement. It can happen naturally over time, or joint injuries or infections can accelerate it.

Furthermore, osteoarthritis affects the bones and the ligaments that attach muscle to bone and bind it together. The joint lining may swell and become inflamed if the cartilage in the joint is damaged severely.

Diagnosis of arthritis

For a diagnosis of arthritis, your primary care physician is a good place to start. They will check for fluid around the joints, heat in the joints, and the range of motion. You may be recommended to see a specialist if necessary.

It may be necessary for you to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist first if you are experiencing severe symptoms. That is because a rheumatologist will diagnose and treat you more quickly.

Your doctor can determine which kind of arthritis you have by measuring inflammation levels in your blood and aspirating and analyzing the joint fluid if it is present.

Blood tests that detect specific antibodies, such as antibodies (CCP), arthritis factor (RF), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA), are also common diagnostic tests.

Doctors commonly use imaging scans like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to produce an image of your bones and cartilage. They can then exclude other causes of your symptoms, such as bone spurs.

The Takeaway

It is possible to manage arthritis even though it cannot permanently be cured. Even if you have been diagnosed with a form of this condition, you can still live an active and healthy life by losing weight and consuming nutrient-rich foods.

Inflammation can be reduced by eating lots of antioxidants in your diet, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Other foods that reduce inflammation include nuts and fish.

To alleviate and control the symptoms of arthritis, you need to maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly.