OverviewArthritis refers to inflammation of a joint. The inflammation may cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and damage.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?Symptoms vary according to the type of arthritis and how severe it is. However, common symptoms include the following:
• difficulty with weight-bearing activities, such as walking, bending, and moving
• joint deformity
• joint pain
and swelling
• joint stiffness, especially in the early morning
• limping or making other adjustments to protect the affected joint
• warmth or redness in a joint
• weakness of the joint
What are the causes and risks of the condition?There are many types of arthritis, with a host of different causes, such as:
• ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the spine and other joints
• arthritis caused by mechanical problems, such as a bone fracture or dislocation
• gout, caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint
• infectious arthritis, caused by infections such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus,Lyme disease or gonorrhea
• osteoarthritis, a degenerative process also known as wear-and-tear or degenerative arthritis
• pseudogout, caused by an accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joint
• psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that is related to and often accompanies a skin condition of the same cause called psoriasis
• reactive arthritis, which may develop after an infection of the urinary tract, bowel, or other organs
• rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder in which the body makes antibodies to its own tissues
• lupus, an autoimmune disorder which often includes arthritis and rash and may include heart, lung, kidney, and brain involvement
Some of the risk factors for arthritis are as follows:
• aging changes in the bones and joints
• bodywide infections that affect the joints
• diabetes
• genetic or hereditary tendency to arthritis
• immunodeficiency disorders, such as HIV
• injury to the joints
• menopause, which increases a woman's risk for osteoarthritis
• overweight or obesity smoking, which doubles a woman's risk for RA
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Reducing repetitive strain on muscles and joints may help prevent arthritis. Be on the lookout for any chronic aches and strains caused by work, hobby, or recreation-related activities. For example, if you think your work is causing joint symptoms, you may want to see about changing tasks or modifying your workstation.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of arthritis starts with a medical history and physical examination. Joint X-rays may be normal at first, perhaps showing some swelling.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
If the arthritis progresses, joint function may keep declining. The person will have more joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. The amount and rate of decline depend on the type of arthritis and how well the available treatments work.
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