Factors in the development of arthritis include injury, abnormal metabolism, genetic makeup, infections, and immune system dysfunction. Treatment aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain quality of life. It involves medications, physical therapies, and patient education and support.
What is the most common way to get arthritis?
- Wear and tear. OA is most commonly the result of wear-and-tear to the joints.
- Inflammatory. RA is when the body's immune system attacks itself.
- Infection. Sometimes, traumatic injury or an infection in the joints can advance the progression of arthritis.
- Metabolic.
- Other causes.
How can I stop getting arthritis?
- Stay at a healthy weight. Extra pounds put pressure on weight-bearing joints like hips and knees.
- Control your blood sugar.
- Exercise.
- Stretch.
- Avoid injury.
- Quit smoking.
- Eat fish twice a week.
- Get routine preventive care.
Can arthritis be cured?
Although there's no cure for arthritis, treatments have improved greatly in recent years and, for many types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory arthritis, there's a clear benefit in starting treatment at an early stage. It may be difficult to say what has caused your arthritis.
What is the most painful type of arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.
How do I know what kind of arthritis I have?
To learn if you have OA, a doctor will take your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They may order X-rays and other imaging tests. They may also taking a sample of fluid from inside an affected joint to check for infection.
How do I know if I have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints. It may begin any time in life.
Which is worse osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
The two conditions can cause similar symptoms, but they have different causes and treatments. OA usually affects fewer joints, and its symptoms are generally limited to the joints. The progression of RA is more difficult to predict, and it can cause more widespread symptoms.
What are the most common types of arthritis?
The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down.
Is stage 4 osteoarthritis serious?
Stage 4 is the most severe stage of osteoarthritis. Because of the fully progressed state of cartilage breakdown and bone-on-bone friction, you typically experience more intense (even excruciating) pain and discomfort when moving.
What is Level 4 arthritis?
Stage 4 OA is considered severe. People in stage 4 OA of the knee experience great pain and discomfort when they walk or move the joint. That's because the joint space between bones is dramatically reduced. The cartilage is almost completely gone, leaving the joint stiff and possibly immobile.