#HEALTHTALK 24: Arthritis

Arthritis is more of an annoying than a serious condition.

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. 

Arthritis isn’t a single condition. There are around 200 conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joints, and other connective tissues. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The early stages of osteoarthritis can cause little pain or trouble. Overtime, it can lead to damage inside a joint, as well as pain and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis is more common in women and affects older people more (from 45 years old). The parts of the body most commonly affected are the knees, hands, hips, and back.

Osteoarthritis involves wear-and-tear damage to your joint's cartilage. The cartilage is like a thick slick coat at the ends of the bones which cushions the bones and allows nearly frictionless joint motion. 

Breakdown of cartilage can result in bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement. This wear and tear can occur over many years. An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue.

Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, causes changes in the bones and deterioration of the connective tissues that hold the joints together.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another common form of arthritis, RA, is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues (synovial membrane) of the body. These attacks affect the joint lining that produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints, causing the lining to be inflamed and swollen. Eventually, the disease can destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.

The exact cause of the immune system’s attacks is unknown. But scientists have discovered genetic markers that increase your risk of developing RA fivefold.

Risk factors for arthritis include:

Gene: The major risk factors for most forms of arthritis are genes that are inherited from ancestors. If you have a family history of arthritis, you may be more likely to develop arthritis. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.

Age: Age advancement increases the risk of many types of arthritis—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, gout.

Sex: Certain types of arthritis are perculiar to women—rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis—while most of the people who have gout (another type of arthritis) are men.

Previous joint injury: An injured joint, perhaps while playing a sport or due to an accident could eventually develop arthritis. 

Obesity: Overweight puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.

Prevention & Lifestyle Choices

Most arthritis are genetic. However, earlier diagnosis can help to prevent permanent damage which could lead to disability. 

Programs of exercise and rest, medications, physical therapy, and surgery options can idealize long-term outcomes for those with arthritis, with proper guidance. 

Exercise can be helpful in providing joint flexibility and stability by strengthening the musculoskeletal system while improving balance. Swimming is often a good form of exercise for people with arthritis because it doesn’t put pressure on your joints the way running and walking do. 

Staying active is important, but you should also be sure to rest when you need to and avoid overexerting yourself.

Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing OA and can reduce symptoms if you already have it.

If you have any type of arthritis you should try to eat:

1.  A healthy diet with lots of antioxidants, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, can help reduce inflammation.  

2.  A more Mediterranean-style diet which includes fish, pulses, nuts, olive oil and plenty of fruits and vegetables . 

3.  More omega-3 fatty acids, for example from oily fish.

4.  Drink less alcohol, especially beer, as drinking too much alcohol is often linked with gout.

Foods to minimize or avoid if you have arthritis include fried food and processed foods.

How do I know I have the tendency?

If you have swelling or stiffness that you can’t explain and that doesn't go away in a few days, or if it becomes painful to touch your joints, you should see a doctor, especially if the pain is not linked to any injury or incident that might have triggered it. The earlier you get a diagnosis and start the right type of treatment, the better the outcome will be.

While there’s no cure for arthritis, the right treatment can greatly reduce your symptoms. And in addition to the treatments your doctor recommends, you can make a number of lifestyle changes that may help you manage your arthritis.

Chisom Deborah Ogbonna, a Biologist, writes from Lagos, Nigeria where she is a lead content developer for the #HealthTalk series. 

Disclaimer: The #HealthTalk series is aimed at informing the public in a general sense that is not necessarily professional. Hence, the information provided herein is not meant to replace the appropriate medical guidance of a trained and licensed physician. Doctor's counsels are to be taken in preference.

~ The Paul Anunaso Blog Team