Arthritis – Causes, Symptoms, Types, Prevention & Diagnosis

Arthritis is a medical condition caused due to inflammation around the joints of bones. It is vital to note the symptoms, types, and causes of arthritis for getting the right treatment plan. This information, along with an arthritis profile test, can also help medical practitioners provide a diagnosis in its early stages. 

Arthritis is a broad term that covers several diseases with a common concern, i.e., inflammation of the joint. This inflammation occurs due to the body’s natural reaction to a disease or injury. It can lead to tissue damage as well. If a person has arthritis they may feel swelling, pain, and stiffness in certain areas of the body such as feet, hands, hips, knees, and lower back. 

Causes

There are two broad categories of arthritis, namely, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The former causes degeneration of the bones along with the consistent deterioration of the tissues connected to them. The latter affects the synovial membrane of the joint capsule, leading to complete erosion of the cartilage and bone. One of the other causes of arthritis is old age. Mentioned below are some risk factors for arthritis. 

1. Obesity - Excess weight puts stress on weight-bearing joints, which increases wear the risk of arthritis.

2. Infection - Inflammation that infects joints caused due to microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi can lead to arthritis. 

3. Heavy Lifting - Some jobs require people to lift heavy objects and use repetitive movements that can stress the joints and cause injuries.

4. Autoimmune Disease - A person who has a certain autoimmune disease is prone to arthritis. 

Symptoms

Different types of arthritis conditions have different types of symptoms. It can be mild or severe in some people. Some of the commonly seen symptoms include:

1. Pain

2. Swelling

3. Redness

4. Stiffness

5. Tenderness

6. Decreased motion

Types

Mentioned below are some of the commonly observed types of arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis

2. Ankylosing spondylitis, or arthritis of the spine 

3. Juvenile arthritis 

4. Gout

5. Rheumatoid arthritis

6. Psoriatic arthritis

7. Reactive arthritis

8. Septic arthritis

9. Thumb arthritis

Prevention

To lower the chances of developing arthritis an individual can:

1. Exercise and remain physically active.

2. Avoid tobacco products such as cigarettes.

3. Maintain a healthy body weight.

4. Reduce the risk of joint injuries by avoiding heavy lifting and extreme physical activities.

Diagnosis

If a person experiences any symptoms of this disorder, they should get a well-priced arthritis profile test done at a reputed pathology lab. To check for arthritis, a doctor performs a physical examination for assessing the mobility and range of motion in the joints. They check for tenderness or swelling around the joints as well. Some doctors also prescribe an ultrasound or X-ray to get a clear picture of the bones, joints, and soft tissues. It helps healthcare providers to check whether a person has bone fractures, dislocated joints, soft tissue inflammation, cartilage breakdown around joints or muscle, ligament or tendon injuries near their joints.

Generally, a blood test is not required to detect arthritis. But in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and gout, an arthritis profile test is essential as it helps analyse the levels of uric acid or inflammatory proteins.