SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

This is a health condition in which a joint or joints are inflamed. Arthritis can be mono, oligo, or poly depending on the number of affected joints. If one joint is affected it is called monoarthritis, if two or three joints are affected it is called oligoarthritis. If four or more joints are affected, it is called polyarthritis.

SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness of the joint
• Warmth
• Redness of the affected joint
• The limited function of the joint
• Limping
• Joint lock
• If arthritis occurs in the large joint areas such as the knee it could lead to loss of cartilage and restricted movement.

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Who is at risk of Arthritis?

Though research shows that women are at higher risk of having arthritis, Arthritis affects everyone: men, women, adults, and even children.

CAUSES of Arthritis

• Injury
• Family history/ gene
• Metabolic malfunction
• Infection effects

TYPES of Arthritis

There are over 100 types of arthritis. But the two main types are:
1) Osteoarthritis (OA)
2) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis and it occurs when the cartilage of the joint breaks causing friction between the bones hence, the pain, swelling, and bone injury will ensure.
This might occur in one or two joints or even on one side of the body. Factors like injuries, genes, obesity/overweight, muscle overuse increase the risk of developing Osteoarthritis. Symptoms of OA include:

• Stiffness
• Soreness of the joint
• Swelling
• In coordination.

For confirmation, if one has OA, the doctor will take your medical history, conduct a physical test or even send for an X-ray examination. The affected area can also be aspirated (the sucking of fluid from the body, in this case, the affected area) to check if the is infection.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a health condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the healthy joints and tissues.

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Symptoms of RA include

• Joint pains most times same joint on the two sides of the body.
• Stiffness.
• Difficulty sleeping
• Numbness
• Warmth burning to feel.

Other symptoms may occur in other parts of the body such as the eyes, heart, skin, or lungs.

PREVENTION of Arthritis

True there has not been found any prevention for arthritis but there are suggestions on what can be done to reduce the risk of developing arthritis. These include:

• Weight control: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing arthritis because excess weight places pressure on the knee thus exposing it to injury and subsequent arthritis.

• Add fish to your diet: fish contains an unsaturated fat called Omega-3 fatty acid. This acid helps to reduce inflammation in the body and joints.

• Regular exercise: Exercises make the muscles around the joint stronger and removes excess weight. It protects the joint against stress and strain. Moderate exercises like walking, swimming, and stretching are really helpful.

• Avoid injury: As we age, our joints start wearing out. And when we get injured, our cartilage is damaged hence the joint wears out even more. That is why we need to avoid injury as much as we can, use the right equipment, sit in the right posture and carry things in the right manner.