Causes Of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Also called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis mainly affects older persons. Joint injury can contribute to the onset of arthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage of the joints have become worn over time. Obesity will increase symptoms of arthritis and may cause it to occur sooner because of additional stress placed on joints. Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the knees, hips and hands but may occur in other areas of the body such as neck, shoulders and ankles.
Symptoms include stiffness, swelling and pain at the affected joint. Osteoarthritis will be diagnosed with physical exam and possible X-rays to determine severity of joint damage. Osteoarthritis can be treated in a variety of ways including anti inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen, physical therapy and joint replacement in severe cases involving the knee and hip.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. The body’s immune system has decided for some reason that the cartilage of the joints is foreign material. The immune system is activated to destroy the joint tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly occurs in young adult women and men but may begin in the childhood years, which is known as juvenile arthritis. It is an extremely debilitating disorder, particularly since it affects the young producing pain and disability. It is common in all areas of the body but often most noticeable in the hands, back and hips.
Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling and stiffness at many affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be a genetic condition. It is diagnosed with physical exam and lab tests for immune markers in the blood. It is treatable by use of immune modulating drugs such as Humira and Enbrel which act to decrease immune activity but most patients will also use traditional osteoarthritis treatments.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis is also an autoimmune disorder but is experienced by patients who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin, often around the joints. Inflammation of the skin involving the immune system can irritate the joints and cause arthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis is diagnosed with physical exam and blood tests for immune markers.
Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis involves treatment of the underlying condition of psoriasis using anti-inflammatory steroids and the same type of immune modulators used for rheumatoid arthritis to reduce the immune system attack of the skin and joints. Patients may also require the use of pain medications and anti anxiety medications to treat the anxiety, itching and pain caused by outbreaks of psoriasis.
Gout
Gout is inflammation of the joints by increased levels of uric acid in the synovial or joint fluid. Uric acid is a dissolved crystal that is normally removed from the blood by the kidney. In cases of gout, uric acid levels are too high and crystals are deposited in the joint space causing a sudden onset of redness, tenderness and swelling.
Gout is diagnosed with physical exam and uric acid blood testing and is treated with medications that aid in the removal of uric acid from the body such as colchicine and allopurinol. People with gout are also advised to avoid eating organ meats such as kidney and liver and shellfish such as oysters and clams as they are known to have high levels of uric acid and may precipitate an attack of gout.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is not technically an arthritic disease but it often causes pain similar to that of arthritis. It actually affects the muscles and soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments but may appear to be arthritis when first experienced. Symptoms include pain in many areas of the body, fatigue and depression. Frozen shoulder syndrome is also experienced by some where the shoulder is difficult or impossible to move.
A physician will be able to determine if a patient has fibromyalgia rather than arthritis with a physical exam and possible X-ray. Fibromyalgia is treated with a variety of therapies including physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, and medicines including anti anxiety agents, anti depressants and pain relievers as there are a number of underlying conditions such as sleep, anxiety and depressive disorders which may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia.
Whichever type of joint pain experienced, it is important to identify the cause of arthritis. A simple visit to a health care practitioner will likely diagnose the type of arthritis and ensure that proper treatment is received.
