HomeLifestyleHealth & FitnessWho is more exposed to Arthritis? Early warning signs you should know

Who is more exposed to Arthritis? Early warning signs you should know

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According to the US CDC, an alarming number of Americans suffer from arthritis, a severe inflammation of the joints that can decrease a person’s lifetime by 10-15 years and result in paralysis in severe cases.

It affects around 58.5 million or 24% of people in the United States.

Arthritis

Arthritis is divided into two types: primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is characterized by a breakdown of the hyaline cartilage on the surface of the joints.

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, are the other kinds of arthritis. Another form of arthritis, known as post-traumatic arthritis, can develop in those who have suffered a major accident, a fractured bone, or a misalignment.

Arthritis Risk Factor

The cause of osteoarthritis is still unknown; however, according to Dr. Alexander Van Der Ven, it is believed that the majority is genetic, which means that it is in our DNA but not necessarily hereditary.

There may also be an environmental factor, such as injury or weight, according to the expert. Obese people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, not just because of their physiologic weight, but also due to the inflammation in their bodies.

“For example, individuals who are considered obese, tend to more frequently develop arthritis in their hands, because of the inflammation in their body, which aggravates their susceptibility to the disease. In summary, we think arthritis is 60% genetic and 30% environmental,” the doctor adds.

“There is one type of arthritis that has been associated with pathogens, and that is Lyme disease. However, that is not osteoarthritis, but a form of arthritis that is caused by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease and stimulates what we think is an auto-immune response to the joint.”

Early and Late signs of Arthritis

According to Dr. Van Der Ven, “Early signs of arthritis in the hands can be weakness, sometimes clumsiness, or stiffness. People may also find that they need to warm up their hands in the morning for example, which is known as morning stiffness.” 

Other signs include episodic discomfort or discomfort with prolonged use or stiffness, pain at rest or pain that can interfere with sleep, and lack of functionality in the joint.

People with arthritis in their lower limbs, such as their legs, may experience a limp or starting pain when they sit for a long time and then get up; they must warm up that joint before they can walk comfortably.

In the inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, people will experience a lot more swelling, constant pain, and discomfort. This will often occur in multiple joints, including the hip, knee, or shoulder. With psoriatic arthritis, people will experience specific types of rashes, according to the expert.

How to treat or prevent Arthritis

“For the majority of cases which are primary osteoarthritis, we emphasize a healthy and active lifestyle, and weight management or weight loss if needed. We also recommend that patients get involved in an injury prevention program with an athletic trainer or a physical therapist who can recommend exercises to manage arthritic flare-ups. We also sometimes recommend certain types of braces and we may opt for medication management, injections, and even surgery if needed,” the doctor says.

Image Credit: Getty

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