Arthritis: Are Your Joints Feeling a Little Rusty Lately?

What lifestyle changes can help people with arthritis?

While arthritis can't be cured, lifestyle changes can help ease symptoms:

1. Stay active: Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and yoga strengthen muscles around joints without overstraining them.
   
   
2. Healthy diet:Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3-rich fish, nuts, and leafy greens.
   
   
3. Maintain a healthy weight: Extra weight adds stress to joints, particularly in the knees, hips, and lower back.
   
   
4. Hydration and supplements:Drinking adequate water helps maintain joint lubrication, and supplements like glucosamine might be beneficial.
   
   
5. Warm baths and compresses: Heat can ease stiff joints, while cold packs reduce inflammation after activity.

Complications of arthritis

Arthritis can lead to a range of complications that affect not only joint function but overall health. Severe arthritis, especially in weight-bearing joints, can cause chronic pain, make daily activities difficult, and impact mobility. It may also result in joint deformities, instability, or loss of alignment over time. Inflammatory types, like rheumatoid arthritis, carry additional risks, such as cardiovascular issues, lung disease, and increased vulnerability to infections due to immune system involvement .

Types of arthritis

Arthritis refers to a range of joint-related disorders that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. Below are some of the most common types:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common form, caused by wear and tear of cartilage over time, often affects the knees, hips, and hands.

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints, leading to inflammation and joint damage.

• Psoriatic arthritis

Occurs in some people with psoriasis, combining joint pain with skin symptoms like red, scaly patches.

• Gout

Caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to sudden and severe pain, often in the big toe.

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

A type of arthritis that usually affects children under 16, with symptoms varying from mild to severe.

• Lupus

A chronic autoimmune disease that can cause joint inflammation along with damage to other organs.

Uncovering the risk factors of arthritis

Risk factors for arthritis include:

• Tobacco use: Smoking and using other tobacco products can increase the risk.
• Family history: A higher likelihood exists if biological family members have arthritis.
• Low activity level: Not being regularly active raises the risk.
• Other health conditions: Autoimmune diseases, obesity, or conditions affecting joints make arthritis more likely.

Additionally, certain groups have a higher risk, such as:

• Individuals over 50
• People assigned female at birth (AFAB)
• Athletes, particularly those in contact sports
• Those with physically demanding jobs or work that puts stress on joints (like prolonged standing, crouching, or kneeling).

The path forward when every step feels like a riddle

Arthritis can be tough, but it doesn't have to hold you back. With a proactive approach, healthy habits, and support from your healthcare team, you can stay active and improve your quality of life. Taking charge of your health goes a long way in keeping those joints moving and living life to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does arthritis start?

Arthritis typically begins with joint discomfort, stiffness, or swelling. Osteoarthritis typically starts due to the gradual wearing down of cartilage over time. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint lining, leading to inflammation.

2. At what age can arthritis start?

While arthritis is more common in older adults, it can start at any age. Osteoarthritis often appears after age 50, but rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis can affect younger people, including teens and children.

3. What are the five symptoms of arthritis?

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness or warmth around joints
• Reduced range of motion

4. What food is good for arthritis?

Foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, like fatty fish (salmon, sardines), leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, can help manage arthritis symptoms. Whole grains and beans are also beneficial.

5. Which fruit is good for arthritis?

Berries, especially blueberries, cherries, and strawberries, are great for arthritis due to their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

6. What not to eat for arthritis?

It's best to avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, red meat, and refined carbohydrates. These can increase inflammation and may worsen arthritis symptoms.

7. Which drink is good for arthritis?

Green tea is beneficial for arthritis due to its antioxidants, particularly EGCG, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Water is also essential to keep joints lubricated and reduce stiffness.

Ever feel like your joints are throwing a temper tantrum? Swollen knees, achy fingers, or that stiff back that makes getting out of bed challenging? It might not be the weather—it could be arthritis. This condition affects millions around the world, and whether it's mild discomfort or full-blown pain, arthritis can mess with your groove. But don't worry—this blog is your guide to understanding arthritis, from the symptoms and causes to lifestyle tweaks that can help manage it.

Arthritis: What's really going on with your joints?

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints — the meeting points of two bones. With age, natural wear and tear can take a toll on these joints, making arthritis a common concern. However, it isn't just age-related; joint injuries and certain underlying health conditions can also contribute to its development. The severity varies from mild discomfort to debilitating pain.

In India alone, arthritis affects over 210 million people, accounting for 15% of the population — a prevalence higher than that of diabetes, AIDS, or cancer. Despite its widespread impact, arthritis often doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Symptoms of arthritis

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Joint pain: A hallmark of arthritis affecting various joints.
• Stiffness:Reduced movement or flexibility in the affected joints.
• Swelling: Inflammation that can make the joint appear puffy.
• Skin discolouration: A change in the skin's colour over the affected area.
• Tenderness: Sensitivity to touch around the joint.
• Warmth: A feeling of heat around the inflamed joints.

These symptoms can vary depending on the type of arthritis and which joints are involved. Some forms of arthritis cause intermittent flare-ups, while others lead to ongoing pain or stiffness, particularly after physical activity.

What's behind arthritis? Key causes explained

Arthritis can pop up for a variety of reasons, and it often depends on the specific type:

• Osteoarthritis: This form of arthritis is like your joints' version of "wear and tear." Years of use naturally wear down the cartilage that cushions your joints.
• Gout: Too much uric acid in the bloodstream can crystallise in the joints, leading to painful gout.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Sometimes, your immune system goes rogue and attacks your joints, thinking they're the enemy. This autoimmune reaction causes inflammation and joint damage.
• Viral Infections: Viruses, even COVID-19, can sometimes lead to what's known as viral arthritis.
• Idiopathic arthritis: Occasionally, arthritis just happens with no clear cause. When this occurs, it's called idiopathic arthritis (think of it as a mystery the docs can't quite solve!).

Each type of arthritis has its own story, and pinpointing the cause can make all the difference in managing symptoms effectively.