All About Arthritis and World Arthritis Day 2023
A painful condition that affects one or more of your joints, is called arthritis. This bone-related illness typically gets worse with age. Every year on October 12, there is a celebration of World Arthritis Day to raise awareness of this critical medical illness.
It strives to inspire individuals with arthritis, their families, carers, and everyone else to take the essential steps that can enhance the quality of life for individuals with arthritis. Manipal Hospitals always believe in to provide the best care possible.
Understanding the early indications of arthritis can aid in prompting important preventative measures. It will encourage people to seek medical attention before it is too late. Let’s discuss some facts about arthritis in honor of World Arthritis Day 2023.
Facts regarding Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis affecting large and small joints in humans with the identification of symptoms such as pain in joints, tenderness, stiffness, reduced motion in joints, bone spurs, etc.
- Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, thus treatment focuses more on managing the symptoms and enabling people to lead more normal lives.
- A person’s capacity to work may be negatively impacted by arthritis, and in certain situations, it may even be impossible for them to work.
- Regular exercise such as biking, walking, and swimming can help enhance mood, function, and quality of life while also easing the pain associated with arthritis.
- One can significantly reduce their risk of acquiring knee osteoarthritis by maintaining a healthy weight.
Knowing the early signs and symptoms
- Since arthritis affects the joints, its earliest symptoms have an impact on how well our joints work. A few of these are:
- Pain in joints
- Stiffness and swelling in joints.
- Reduced motion
- Redness within the skin around the joints
- Unexplained joint pain accompanied by fever
- Persistent joint pain which is not cured by painkillers
Causes
Poor eating habits, irregular sleep patterns, and other random lifestyle habits are the risk factors for Arthritis.
Regularly smoking or drinking alcohol on a daily basis weakens the body and increases the risk of developing some form of arthritis.
In comparison to those who are not overweight, those who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis.
Long-term knee bending or repetitive stress can harm a joint and result in the development of several types of arthritis.
Types of Arthritis
More than 100 disorders that affect joints, connective tissues, and tissues around the joints can be referred to as arthritis, which is defined as inflammation or swelling of the joints. While joint pain and stiffness are among the most common symptoms.
Common forms of Arthritis and their signs include:
· Osteoarthritis (OA): Decreased movement along with less joint flexibility and more swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints.
· Fibromyalgia: Body pains or stiffness, exhaustion, sadness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, attention problems, memory problems, headaches or migraines, digestive troubles, and jaw problems.
· Gout Arthritis: Heat, redness, swelling, and excruciating agony in the afflicted joints.
· Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inflammation of the eyes, stunted growth, weight gain, etc.
· Psoriatic Arthritis: Swollen fingers and toes, lower back discomfort, uveitis, foot pain, and pitting, crumbling, or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Diagnostic Approach
Despite the wide variety of forms of arthritis, the diseases can be broadly divided into four groups: infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and degenerative arthritis. A person with arthritic symptoms may be diagnosed as follows:
· Medical history: This investigates various topics, including previous diseases or injuries that may be the source of the symptoms, family history of rheumatoid arthritis, medication, and examining the symptoms.
· Lab tests: Several tests may be on an arthritis test panel including an Antinuclear antibody test, joint aspiration, complement test, complete blood count test, creatinine test, C-reactive protein test, ESR test, hematocrit, rheumatoid factor test, uric acid test, and urine test.
· Imaging tests: These include arthroscopy, MRI, ultrasound, and x-ray.
Recommendation for lifestyle modification concerning Arthritis
· Joint discomfort can be decreased, and a healthy weight can be maintained with the use of a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods. Berries, green and leafy vegetables, almonds, ginger, and meals high in fiber are such foods.
· Avoid the consumption of fried food, processed food, food containing excess salt and sugar, and other habits such as excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
· The daily routine can be improved by including as little as 15 minutes of physical activity to increase the muscles’ range of motion.
· Simple awareness, relaxation techniques, and changes in behavior and habits can all be very helpful in managing arthritis.
We believe that the best care should be given to our patients and their health is our priority. To make sure we provide the best health packages to take care of them.
