Arthritis is a medical problem in which the patient suffers from joint pain due to inflammation and swelling. As per the data from the World Health Organisation, in 2019, 528 million people all over the world were found suffering from osteoarthritis, a 113% increase from 1991.
In this blog, we will understand what is arthritis and what arthritis is caused by. We will also understand arthritis symptoms and different types of arthritis and their treatment options.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that is responsible for pain, stiffness in the joints, and swelling in and around the joints. It refers to almost 100 trusted sources of rheumatic diseases and conditions that can adversely affect the joints.
The word “arthritis” refers to “joint inflammation”. The inflammation caused by arthritis can extend to the tendons and ligaments that surround the joints. The symptoms can show up suddenly or with time and may interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
Types of Arthritis
As we have already mentioned there are around 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the major categories of arthritis are discussed below
Inflammatory arthritis
Inflammation is the body’s natural process of healing. It happens as a response by the body to protect itself from viruses, bacteria, injuries, or burns. In the case of inflammatory arthritis, inflammation emerges in individuals without any evident reason.
Inflammatory arthritis is distinguished by detrimental inflammation that does not occur as a response to normal injury or infection. This type of inflammation causes damage to the joint that is affected by causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Inflammatory arthritis affects more than the joints. It also harms the surface of the joints and underlying bones.
Examples of inflammatory arthritis include:
Degenerative or mechanical arthritis
Degenerative or mechanical arthritis refers to a condition that causes damage to the cartilage that covers the bone ends. The job of the cartilage is to help joints in smooth and slippery movement. This type of arthritis makes cartilage thinner and rougher.
The body begins to remodel the bones to restore the stability caused by the changes in joint function due to the wear and tear of the cartilage. Though this leads to a condition called osteophytes meaning unwanted and undesirable bony growths. It also causes the joints to misshapen. This state is known as Osteoarthritis. It can also happen due to damage by the fracture or previous inflammation in the joint.
Connective tissue disease (CTD)
Connective tissue is responsible for providing support and binding supporting tissues and organs in the body. They include tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Connective tissue disorder makes the joint inflamed and causes discomfort. The inflammation may also occur in other tissues of the body namely, skin, muscles, lungs, and joints. This may include a number of symptoms beyond joint pain requiring consultations with various specialists.
Examples of CTD include:
- SLE, or lupus
- scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis
- dermatomyositis
- Sjogren’s
Infectious arthritis
Different viruses, fungi, or bacteria at times cause inflammation by entering the joint.
Organisms that infect joints are:
- Salmonella and Shigella can be caught by food and water that is contaminated.
- Sexually transmitted disease-causing organisms like Chlamydia.
- Hepatitis C is an infection of the blood that might be transmitted through needles or transfusions.
Your doctor will treat joint infections using antibiotics or other antimicrobial treatments. Furthermore, in certain cases, arthritis can transform into a chronic condition, leading to irreversible joint damage.
Metabolic arthritis
Uric acid is a chemical that the body forms after breaking down a substance called purines, which is found in human cells and certain types of food.
Mostly uric acid dissolves in the blood and then moves to the kidneys. Kidneys remove it from the body in the form of urine. However, some people tend to suffer from increased levels of uric acid levels because of excessive natural production than required or because their bodies cannot remove uric acid efficiently.
At times uric acid accumulates in the body and forms sharp needle-like crystals in the joints. This accumulation results in extreme joint pain or gout attack.
Gout has the tendency to convert into chronic if uric acid levels do not decrease and moreover gout can come and go in episodes.
The effects can be seen in a single joint or a number of small joints like the big toe and hands. This condition primarily affects the extremities. According to one theory uric acid forms crystals in cooler joints which are usually situated away from the central warmth of the body.
Childhood arthritis
Childhood arthritis includes various forms of arthritis like Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) which is the most common type of arthritis.
It is believed that this arthritis causes permanent damage to joints and there is no cure for it. Remission is possible only when the disease is inactive. Childhood arthritis is the result of problems in the immune system.
Septic arthritis
When inflammation is caused because of bacterial or fungal infection then it is termed septic arthritis. Keens and the hip joints are mostly affected by it.
Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria or other bacteria-causing microorganisms reach the joint through the blood, or when the joint itself becomes infected with a microorganism because of surgery or injury.
Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, or Neisseria gonorrhoeaeare the bacteria mostly responsible for acute septic arthritis. Microorganisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans are responsible for inducing chronic septic arthritis. This occurrence is rarer compared to acute septic arthritis.
Below mentioned are a few conditions held responsible for developing septic arthritis:
- Existing joint disorder or damage
- Artificial joint implants
- Bacterial infections in the body
- Detection of bacteria in the blood
- Persistent health conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and sickle cell disease
- Making use of intravenous (IV) drugs or injectable drugs
- Medications that suppress the movement of the immune system
- Recent joint injuries
- Diabetes
- Old age
- Preexisting conditions that weaken the immune system, like HIV
Septic arthritis represents a critical situation in rheumatology due to its potential to cause swift and severe deterioration of joints, even leading to fatality.
Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis is caused by a number of factors. These causes vary according to the type or form of arthritis.
Below mentioned are a few causes responsible for arthritis:
- Injuries that can result in degenerative arthritis.
- Disrupted metabolism, contributing to situations like gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD).
- Genetic history, leading to the onset of osteoarthritis.
- Infections like Lyme disease, are capable of inciting arthritis symptoms.
- Immune system irregularities, such as those causing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus.
Symptoms of Arthritis
The arthritis symptoms differ significantly based on the type and how they emerge. They can show up suddenly or take time. Since arthritis is a long-lasting condition, symptoms might appear or disappear for a longer period.
Nevertheless, people who experience any of the four major signs mentioned below should see a medical practitioner. The pain from arthritis can be constant or periodic. It might only affect one part of the body or multiple joints in an instant. Another major symptom of arthritis is swelling: The skin of the affected joint turns red and swollen and feels tender when touched. There also occurs stiffness. Stiffness mostly occurs when one wakes up in the morning, after sitting at a desk, or after sitting in the car for a long time. It can occur after exercise or can be persistent. Furthermore, when one feels difficulty in getting up from a chair then it can be a sign of arthritis or another joint problem.
These are some of the common signs that indicate arthritis, whereas others might have different symptoms. For example, Juvenile RA can cause eye problems not limited to problems like uveitis, iridocyclitis, or iritis.
Septic arthritis is often related to fever and extreme joint pain. It can turn into a serious condition if it reaches sepsis.
Treatment of Arthritis
Arthritis treatment aims to manage pain and limit joint damage. There is also an emphasis on improving overall function and quality of life. A combination of medications and lifestyle adjustments can help in achieving these goals and safeguarding joints from further harm.
The approach to treatment varies based on the specific type of arthritis a person has. It may involve:
Medications
Medications used depend on the type of arthritis. Common drugs include analgesics or pain relievers. These alleviate pain but don't target inflammation. Examples are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and tramadol (Ultram). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to treat arthritis. These tackle both pain and inflammation. NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be bought over the counter. Some come in creams, gels, or patches for a localised joint application. Counterirritants can also be prescribed. These ar Certain creams with menthol or capsaicin, can be applied on painful joints to ease pain by affecting pain signals. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) are also extremely helpful. DMARDs like methotrexate (Trexall) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), slow or halt the immune system's attack on joints. They are primarily used for RA. Genetically engineered drugs like etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) target immune response-related proteins and are gaining massive popularity for treating arthritis. Lastly, corticosteroids are also suggested which contain Prednisone and cortisone that curb inflammation and enhance immune activity.
Natural treatment
Natural approaches can greatly contribute to managing arthritis symptoms and maintaining overall well-being. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and steering clear of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all play a role in supporting individuals with arthritis.
Diet plays a significant part, as certain foods possess anti-inflammatory properties. Embracing a Mediterranean-style diet can provide essential nutrients for joint health and help alleviate inflammation. This diet includes fish, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, beans, olive oil, whole grains, etc.
Physical therapy can also form a crucial part of managing arthritis. It aids patients in enhancing mobility. Physical therapy may involve tailored exercises designed for the specific condition and individual requirements. In addition to this, it may include the incorporation of pain-relief techniques like ice or heat application and massage.
Occupational therapy might provide practical guidance on handling daily tasks, recommendations for specialised equipment to ease joint strain and strategies to safeguard joints and manage fatigue.
Recommended joint-friendly activities for arthritis include walking, swimming and cycling. Note that initial exercise might cause temporary pain. But, sustained physical activity can alleviate chronic symptoms.
For natural relief, certain herbal remedies have gained attention for different arthritis types. Studies indicate that herbal supplements like Devil's Claw, Boswellia, chamomile, turmeric, and ginger might reduce pain and inflammation, potentially decreasing reliance on pain medications.
Surgery
Surgery becomes an option for arthritis cases depending on type and severity. It is often considered when other treatments yield limited results.
Arthritis-related surgical options encompass:
- Synovectomy
- Total Joint Replacement (TJR)
- Osteotomy
- Joint Fusion
Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog helped you understand what is arthritis and what arthritis symptoms are. Arthritis affects joints and arthritis is caused by their inflammation or degeneration. With almost 100 types of arthritis, understanding its symptoms and treatment options is important. But make sure to get in touch with your doctor if you suspect any of these symptoms. Having health insurance ensures financial support for arthritis treatments, including doctor visits, medications, and therapy, helping you manage the condition effectively.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.