Arthritis is a common medical condition that causes damage to the body’s joints, leading to loss of mobility, inflammation, stiffness, pain, and a variety of other symptoms. Despite its prevalence, arthritis is still one of the most misunderstood conditions.
Part of the confusion surrounding arthritis stems from the fact that there are more than 100 forms of the condition. There are also several causes of arthritis and a wide range of symptoms. However, all forms of arthritis can cause pain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis?
The most common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Redness of the skin around the affected joints
These symptoms tend to develop gradually over time. Their severity will vary based on the type of arthritis, its location in the body, and the health of the individual. There are also other symptoms associated with specific types of arthritis. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience a loss of appetite, fevers and anaemia.
Who Is Most Likely To Get Arthritis?
People over 65 are much more likely to experience arthritis. That’s why the majority of patients seeking treatment for arthritis at our chiropractic clinic in Fareham are seniors. However, certain forms of arthritis can also affect younger people, such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis.
What Causes Arthritis?
The body’s joints contain flexible connective tissue called cartilage. Cartilage protects the joints from the pressure and shocks placed upon them as you move about. Most forms of arthritis occur when the cartilage between the joints is worn down.
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by wear-and-tear damaging cartilage over time. Eventually, when enough cartilage is worn away, the bones can rub against one another which causes a great deal of pain and inflammation. This is the form of arthritis that we often help sufferers with at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic.
The severity of conditions like osteoarthritis can be impacted by the presence of injury, infection, disease and lifestyle factors. The likelihood of arthritis occurring is increased if a person comes from a family with a history of having the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most-common form of arthritis. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks certain tissues in the body.
The immune system can begin to eat away at the synovium — soft tissue in the joints which provides nutrients to the cartilage and lubricates joints. When the synovium is severely damaged, the cartilage will begin to degrade. Researchers are still trying to understand what causes rheumatoid arthritis.
Diet and lifestyle advice, along with medical and physical therapy are used to help arthritic conditions.
Our Experience Counts: 55 Years in Fareham
Serving the people of Fareham, and surrounding areas of Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire and the local areas of Whiteley, Hedge End, Locks Heath & Portchester
