Arthritis is a common health tricky in the United States,
with close to 50 million adults living with the condition. It is also a leading
source of physical disability in America. Arthritis is characterized by pain in
the joints and restricted movement as a result. If you have this condition,
slight activities such as bending, walking, and stretching can be painful.
Arthritis can affect your general productivity and negatively affect your
quality of life. Fortunately, your Pittsburgh board certified
orthopedic spine
surgeon offers treatment to help manage your symptoms and improve joint
function.
What is arthritis?
It is a disease that affects the places where your bones
meet (joints). Arthritis causes swelling, tenderness, and inflammation of one
or more joints. These changes cause pain when you use the affected joint. The
most common body areas that that can be affected by arthritis include:
· Knees
· Feet
. Hands
· Lower back
· Hips
What causes arthritis?
The causes of arthritis are different for each type of this
condition. For example, gout – a kind of arthritis- results from excess uric
acid in the body. Below are the causes of the two most common types of
arthritis – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
The ends of joints in your body are covered with cartilage –
a tough, slick coating that cushions your bones. The cartilage facilitates
frictionless or smooth joint movement. Osteoarthritis causes wear and tear
damage to the cartilage, causing bones to grind over each other upon motion.
The result can be pain, restricted movement, or both. It is an age-related
medical problem, as it is prone in older adults. Damage to the cartilage can
occur over many years or be accelerated by other factions such as an infection
or joint injury. Friction, as a result, alters your bones’ structure and causes
deterioration of connective tissues.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes your body’s immune system to
attack synovial membranes in the joints. The synovial membrane covers all joint
areas to prevent bones from grinding over each other. If the disease advances,
it can destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.
Risk factors for arthritis
· Lifestyle.
Habits such as smoking put you at risk for arthritis. Smoking limits blood
supply in your bones, which can result in degeneration.
· Age. Your
chances of developing types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis increase with age.
· Sex. Men are
at risk for developing gout, unlike women who are more likely to have
rheumatoid arthritis.
· Family
history. You are at risk of developing certain types of arthritis that run in
your family if one of your relations or parents has the condition.
· Obesity. Excess body weight exerts added
pressure on your joints in your spine, hips, and knees. Obesity increases your
risk for arthritis. Losing extra pounds can reduce your risk for arthritis and
other health problems, including hypertension and sleep apnea.
