What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the swelling and inflammation of the joint, but it is a term used to describe over 200 conditions that affect the joint and surrounding tissues.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where the protective cartilage that cushions the joint wears down over time. This can be caused by normal wear and tear on the joint, but can be worsened by illness or injury to the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another common form of arthritis--but it is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the soft tissue responsible for lubricating the joints of the body.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Because there are many different types of arthritis, there are many symptoms that can signal an arthritic condition, including (but not limited to):

• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Limited range of motion
• Bone spurs
• Grating or rubbing feeling inside the joint
• Multiple joints with pain
• Fever
• Chills

If you are experiencing these symptoms and feel concerned, you should speak with a doctor to diagnose you correctly.

What causes arthritis?

Many factors can increase your likelihood of developing arthritis. Some of these factors include:

• Family history: some types of arthritis do run in families, meaning your genetics may play a role in whether you develop an arthritic condition.
• Age: risk of many types of arthritis increase with age.
• Previous injury: if you’ve ever injured a joint, the likelihood increases that you may later develop arthritis in that joint.
• Weight: obesity causes stress to the joints of the hips and knees especially--one of the many reasons to keep weight under control.

How can you treat arthritis?

Arthritic conditions are treated differently depending on the type of arthritis. This is why it is important to get help for your joint pain or injury.

A healthy lifestyle is also a good way to manage the symptoms of some types of arthritis. Healthy eating, weight management, proper hydration and sleep are all vital in keeping the body in good shape.