TRIVIA GENIUS *What Causes Arthritis?*

Science
What Causes Arthritis?
12 | 12 | 2019
Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of joints. According to the CDC, about 23% of adults in the U.S., or 54 million people, live with arthritis. People with arthritis typically experience symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling, and one in four people report debilitating pain that limits physical activities. Here are important facts about the disease, which the CDC estimates will affect an estimated 78.4 million people over the age of 18 by 2040.

What Causes Arthritis and Common Types

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Arthritis occurs when your cartilage, which cushions and protects your bones, begins to break down, making the bones lose their shock absorption. The ailment can occur just about anywhere in the body but usually appears in joints that bear weight, and is often found in fingers, hands, knees, hip, feet, and spine.
Despite arthritis being very common, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact root of the disease since there are more than 100 different types.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis, often associated with aging, occurs due to natural wear and tear on your joints. The older you get, the more your joints have worked; the harder you work your joints, the quicker they deteriorate, which then leads to inflammation and discomfort. Injuries, physically demanding jobs, and obesity are also factors for osteoarthritis.
Some types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by infections or autoimmune disorders and can therefore affect other parts of the body besides joints. In some cases, it can also cause fevers, swelling of glands, weight loss, fatigue, and even affect major organs like the heart, lungs, or kidneys. Blood tests are often used to diagnose this type.
Other types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the skin and joints; reactive arthritis, which is caused by an infection in another part of the body; and infectious arthritis, a type of arthritis caused by an infection from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

Arthritis Management

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Although you can’t prevent arthritis, there are a few ways to slow down its onset. Diet is one of the best ways to hold off the painful effects of arthritis. Eating foods that are high in Omega-3s, like salmon, mackerel, and flax seeds, has been shown to reduce inflammation. Since weight and obesity are closely tied to the disease, maintaining a healthy diet may also contribute to keeping arthritis at bay.
Exercising and staying active can also help to prevent arthritis symptoms. While it may seem counter-intuitive since working your joints causes them to deteriorate, regular exercise not only helps control your weight but can also build muscle around the joints to add strength and protect them from wear. Low impact exercises like swimming and biking are ideal for people living with arthritis. Stretching is also important to maintain flexibility and range of motion.
Common ways to treat arthritis include over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, creams and ointments that contain menthol, and steroids either in pill form or injected by a doctor. Physical therapy can also help improve symptoms and in extreme cases, surgery may be recommended by a doctor.