What is arthritis?
Arthritis is not
one disease alone but an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that affect
the joints of the body. Joints are points where 2 or more bones meet,
such as in the wrist, knuckles, hips, knees and ankles. If you have arthritis,
the joints are inflamed, causing discomfort and pain. It can range from
mild to severe and can affect people of all ages.
The 3 most common
types of arthritis found in Malaysia are:
- osteoarthritis.
- rheumatoid arthritis.
- gout.
Other types of
arthritis include:
- juvenile arthritis.
- ankylosing spondylitis.
- systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
- scleroderma.
What are the symptoms of
arthritis?
The symptoms of
arthritis vary from person to person. But if you have arthritis, you will
almost certainly have symptoms relating to your joints, such as:
- pain
- swelling in a joint
- redness and warmth in a joint
- stiffness or reduced movement of a
joint
Some people also
get other problems outside their joints. Other common symptoms include:
- tiredness.
- weight loss.
- feeling unwell.
What causes arthritis?
The causes of many
types of arthritis are not fully known. Most forms of arthritis are
thought to be caused by a fault in the immune system that causes the body
to attack its own tissues in the joints. This may be inherited genetically.
Other forms of
arthritis can be caused by problems with the immune system or by a metabolic
condition, such as gout.
Environmental
factors that may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis include:
- obesity, which puts added strain on
joints.
- activities that involve repetitive
movements of a particular joint.
- previous damage to a joint, such as
from a sports injury.
You are also more
likely to develop arthritis if you smoke and if you do not do enough physical
activity.
Arthritis caused
by an infection is called 'reactive arthritis'. It is very difficult to
diagnose and can develop at any age but is more commonly seen in younger
people. Reactive arthritis can last between a few weeks to 6 months.
How is arthritis treated?
For many types of
arthritis, there are treatments available that can help control symptoms and
prevent damage to the joints.
The most
appropriate treatment will depend on which type of arthritis you have, which
joints are affected and the symptoms you have.
Treatment might
include:
- medicines, such as
painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines or medicines to slow down
the disease (called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, used
for inflammatory forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis,
ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis).
- pain management techniques, such as
meditation.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed to replace or repair damaged joints.
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