There are several complications that arise as a result of aging. Each day, as we grow older our body system is exposed to all kinds of things that are harmful to our health.
My focus today is on Arthritis and how it can be avoided at an early stage.
Sincerely, having Arthritis is not a beautiful thing, it is not something you would love to wish your enemy. But first let’s get to know what Arthritis is all about.
Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pains. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. The symptoms of arthritis involve the joints mostly and depending on the type of Arthritis, the signs or symptoms one might see include
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Metabolic Abnormalities
- Hereditary factors,
- The direct and indirect effect of infections (bacterial and viral)
- Misdirected immune system with autoimmunity
- Injury
- Decreased range of motion
Of course we know that there are many types of arthritis (over 100 identified, and the number is growing). The types of arthritis range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to your joint’s cartilage — the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones. Enough damage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years, or it can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.
Rheumatoid arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, a tough membrane that encloses all the joint parts. This lining, known as the synovial membrane, becomes inflamed and swollen. The disease process can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
Risk factors
Risk factors for arthritis include:
- Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
- Age. The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
- Your sex. Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
- Previous joint injury. People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
- Obesity. Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Complications
Severe arthritis, particularly if it affects your hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to do daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can keep you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. In some cases, joints may become twisted and deformed.
What are risk factors for arthritis?
The major risk factors for most forms of arthritis are genes that are inherited from ancestors. Trauma-related arthritis is related to the risk of injury from specific activities.
Write to us at pinkheartnig@gmail.com for suggestions and comments.
