Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of one joint or more. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which usually get worse with age. The most frequent types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage, the hard, slippery tissue that lines the ends of the bones where it forms a joint, to break. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects, first, the lining of the joints (synovial membrane).

Uric acid crystals, infections, or underlying diseases, such as psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis.

The treatments vary according to the type of arthritis. The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

symptom
Some of the most frequent signs and symptoms of arthritis affect the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, the signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Rigidity
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decrease in range of motion

Causes
The two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, cause different joint damage.

Osteoarthritis
Arthrosis, the most common type of arthritis, involves damage from wear and tear on the cartilage of the joint (the rigid, slippery coating at the ends of the bones). Accumulated damage can cause bones to wear away from each other, causing pain and restriction of movement. This wear can occur over many years or it can be accelerated due to an injury or infection of the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule, which consists of a hard membrane that encloses all parts of the joints. This lining, known as the "synovial membrane," becomes inflamed and swollen. The process of the disease can finally destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.

Risk factor's
Risk factors for arthritis include:

Family background. Some types of arthritis are hereditary, so you're likely to get arthritis if your parents or siblings have this disorder. Your genes can make you more vulnerable to environmental factors that can trigger arthritis.
Age. The risk of many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, increases with age.
Sex. Women are more likely than men to get rheumatoid arthritis, while most people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
Previous joint injury People who have injured an articulation, perhaps while doing sports, are more likely to develop arthritis in that joint over time.
Obesity. The extra weight forces the joints, especially the knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Complications
Severe arthritis, especially if it affects the hands or arms, can make it difficult for you to perform daily tasks. Arthritis of weight-bearing joints can prevent you from walking comfortably or sitting upright. In some cases, the joints may become twisted and deformed.