Do your joints hurt too? Let's talk about arthritis!

Do you sometimes feel achy when you wake up in the morning? Or do your joints feel stiff and achy? Or are your joints swollen and red? These are not just normal. These could be symptoms of a condition called arthritis. Let's learn more about this today, as if we were talking to a friend.

What is this arthritis?

Simply put, arthritis is a disease that damages your joints . Do you know what a joint is? It's the place where two bones in your body connect. Think of places like your knees, elbows, and knuckles.

As we age, some joints naturally wear down. For many people, this normal, lifelong wear and tear causes arthritis. Some types of arthritis are caused by an injury to a joint. Also, some health conditions can cause arthritis.

Arthritis can affect any joint, but it is most commonly seen in the following places:

• Hands and wrists
• Knees
• Hip bones
• Feet and ankles
• Shoulders
• Lower back (lumbar spine)

A doctor can help you manage symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. Some people with severe arthritis may eventually need surgery to replace the affected joints.

If you have severe joint pain that's affecting your daily activities , or if you feel like you can't move or use your joints normally, is it really necessary to see a doctor? Don't put it off.

What are the types of arthritis?

You might be surprised to learn that there are over 100 types of arthritis! But don't worry, we'll talk about some of the most common types:

• Osteoarthritis : This is arthritis that develops due to wear and tear on the joints. To be precise, it is arthritis that develops over time when the joints are used. Imagine your grandmother waking up in the morning and saying, "Oh, my knees hurt, I can't even bend them," right? That's a similar situation. This is often something that comes with age.
• Rheumatoid arthritis : This is when your body's own immune system (the system that protects us from disease) mistakenly attacks your own joints. This causes the joints to become damaged, swollen, and painful.
• Gout : This is when a chemical called uric acid builds up in the blood and deposits sharp crystals in the joints. Imagine if someone suddenly screamed that their big toe was burning and hurting, it could be gout. The pain can be so sudden and severe.
• Ankylosing spondylitis : This mainly affects the joints in the lower back and hips. It is a condition that makes it difficult to keep the spine straight.
• Psoriatic arthritis : This is a type of arthritis that occurs in people with psoriasis, a skin condition. Along with the skin patches, there is also joint pain.
• Juvenile arthritis : This is arthritis that occurs in children and young adults under the age of 16. You might be wondering if these things can happen to little ones too, right? Yes, it's true.

Depending on the type of arthritis you have, it can cause the natural tissue in your joints to break down (called `degeneration`) or it can cause inflammation (called `inflammation`). In some types, inflammation causes tissue breakdown (called `degeneration`).

How common is arthritis?

Arthritis is a very common disease . According to statistics from some countries, a significant number of adults will experience arthritis in their joints at some point in their lives.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Studies have found that about half of adults will develop osteoarthritis at some point in their lives. So it's something that affects a lot of people.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

These are the most common symptoms of arthritis. But not everyone experiences all of these symptoms the same way, right?

• Joint pain : This is the main symptom. Sometimes it starts slowly and can gradually increase.
• Joint stiffness or decreased range of motion : Feeling stiff in your joints when you wake up in the morning, or not being able to bend or straighten your arms or legs as easily as before.
• Inflammation : The joint appears swollen and enlarged.
• Skin discoloration : The skin around the joint becomes red.
• Feeling pain or tenderness around a joint : It feels like it hurts just to touch it.
• Feeling hot around the joints : Feeling hotter around the joints than other places.

Where you feel your symptoms depends on the type of arthritis you have and which joints are affected.

Some types of arthritis have symptoms that come and go. That is, some days they are very bad and then they go away after a few days. We call these ``flares`` or ``flare-ups.`` In other types, the joints are always painful and stiff. Especially after strenuous activity.

What are the main causes of arthritis?

The causes of arthritis vary depending on the type you have. Let's look at some of the main causes:

• Osteoarthritis is a natural part of aging. Over a lifetime of joint use, the cartilage (the cushion-like material between the joints) wears down.
• If you have too much uric acid in your blood (a condition called hyperuricemia), you can develop gout . These uric acid crystals build up in the joints, causing pain.
• Arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis) can also develop when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints. It's like your own army attacking itself.
• Viral arthritis can also be caused by certain viral infections (for example, some people experience joint pain after things like COVID-19).
• Sometimes arthritis develops for no apparent reason , for no apparent reason. Doctors call this idiopathic arthritis.

What factors increase the risk of developing arthritis?

Anyone can develop arthritis. But certain factors may increase your risk of developing it. Here are some of them:

• Tobacco use : Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products increases the risk. Isn't this the cause of many diseases?
• Family history : If someone in your family (biologically related, such as your mother, father, siblings) has arthritis, you are more likely to develop it too.
• Activity level : If you are not regularly physically active, meaning you do not exercise, you are more likely to develop arthritis.
• Other health conditions : If you have autoimmune diseases (disorders of the immune system), obesity, or any condition that affects your joints, you are more likely to develop arthritis.

Some people are more at risk of developing arthritis than others, including:

• People over 50 years old.
• Women (some types of arthritis are more common in women).
• Athletes, especially those who play contact sports.
• People who work physically hard and have jobs that put a lot of pressure on their joints (for example, those who stand for long periods of time, bend over, or kneel).

At what age does arthritis usually start?

Arthritis can develop at any age. The age at which it starts depends on the type you have and what causes it.

Osteoarthritis usually affects people over the age of 50. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60.

Other types that have a more specific cause usually start around the same time. For example, post-traumatic arthritis (arthritis that develops after an injury) develops after a joint injury. Similarly, gout develops after uric acid levels in the blood have been elevated for several months.

It's best to talk to a doctor about your risk of developing arthritis, as well as when you should start paying attention to changes in your joints.

How do doctors diagnose arthritis?

A doctor will diagnose arthritis with a physical exam . He or she will examine your affected joints and ask about your symptoms. The doctor will need to be clear about when you first started experiencing symptoms such as pain and stiffness, what kind of work you do, and what time of day you feel them the most.

The doctor will probably check your range of motion (`range of motion`). That is, how far you can bend, extend, and rotate a joint. He or she may also compare the range of motion of one joint with that of other joints (for example, your other knee, ankle, or toes).

Tests for Arthritis

In addition to the physical examination, the doctor may perform several other tests.

Your doctor may use imaging tests like these to take pictures of your joints:

• X-ray : This can look for changes in the bones and narrowing of the space between the joints.
• Ultrasound : This can be used to see if there is any fluid accumulation within the soft tissues, cartilage, and joints.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan : This allows you to see things like joints, cartilage, and ligaments in great detail.
• Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan) : This can also take detailed pictures of bones and joints.

These tests can help your doctor see the damage inside your joints. They can also help make sure there are no other injuries or problems (such as fractures) that could be causing these symptoms.

If you think you have gout, your doctor may order blood tests to check your uric acid levels. Blood tests can also look for signs of infection or autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

What are the treatments for arthritis?

There is no cure for arthritis. But don't worry! Your doctor can help you find treatments that can help control your symptoms. The type of treatment you need will depend on the cause of your arthritis, the type you have, and the joints affected.

The most commonly used arthritis treatments are:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine - for example, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) or acetaminophen (such as Panadol) - is a type of painkiller and anti-inflammatory medicine that you can buy from a pharmacy without a prescription.
• Corticosteroids: These are powerful medications prescribed by a doctor to reduce swelling and pain. They can be taken as pills or sometimes as cortisone shots directly into the joint.
• If you have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, you may be given disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These can help control the disease from getting worse.
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy : This is very important. It can help you increase your strength and range of motion, increase your confidence when walking and doing daily tasks, and help you learn ways to protect your joints.
• Surgery : This is usually only done if other treatments have not reduced symptoms and if there is severe damage to the joints.

Surgery for arthritis

If you have severe arthritis and other treatments are not helping, you may need surgery. The two main types of surgery for arthritis are joint fusion and joint replacement .

• Joint fusion : As the name suggests, a surgical procedure involves joining two bones together to stop movement at the joint. This reduces pain. This is most commonly done for spinal fusions or ankle fusions.
• Joint replacement (Arthroplasty / Joint replacement) : If your joints are damaged or the bones have worn away, you may need a joint replacement. The surgeon removes your damaged natural joint and replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. You may have to replace part of the joint (partial joint replacement) or the entire joint (total joint replacement). Knee and hip replacement surgeries are now performed very successfully.

Your doctor or surgeon will explain to you what type of surgery you need and what to expect from it.

Can arthritis be prevented?

Some types of arthritis are caused by natural causes or health conditions that you can't change. So, there's no way to always prevent it. However, you can reduce your risk of developing arthritis by doing these things:

• Avoiding tobacco products : This is general advice for almost all diseases.
• Following a healthy diet and exercise plan that suits you is also important. Controlling your body weight is also very important, because when you gain weight, the pressure on your joints increases.
• Doing low-impact exercise that doesn't put too much pressure on your joints. For example, walking, swimming, and cycling .
• Wear proper safety equipment and maintain proper posture during any activity that could damage your joints (e.g., playing sports, lifting weights).

What to expect if you have arthritis?

If you have arthritis, you can expect to have to manage your symptoms for a long time (probably for the rest of your life) . This means you have to learn to live with it. Your doctor can help you find treatments that will reduce the impact of arthritis on your daily activities.

For some people, arthritis symptoms may worsen as they age. It's also wise to ask how often you should see your doctor for follow-up visits to check for any changes in your joints.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of these symptoms, don't delay seeing a doctor:

• Severe pain (especially if it lasts for more than a week or is not relieved by ordinary painkillers).
• If the stiffness in your joints is getting worse, especially if you suddenly can't move a joint normally.
• If your usual symptoms are coming back more often, or if they are getting worse (increasing flare-ups).
• If a joint becomes red, swollen, and feverish (this could be a sign of infection).

What questions should you ask the doctor?

When we go to see a doctor, sometimes we forget what we want to ask, don't we? So, it's a good idea to write down some questions in advance. Here are some examples:

• What type of arthritis do I have?
• What kind of treatment do I need? Are there any side effects to these treatments?
• Will I need surgery? If so, what are the benefits?
• How often do I need to come for follow-up exams?
• What changes do I need to make in my lifestyle? (like diet, exercise)
• What do I do if the pain increases?

How to quickly reduce arthritis pain?

Everyone's body responds differently to different treatments. So, there is no one "magic" answer that works for everyone. Your doctor can help you find a combination of treatments that will help reduce your arthritis pain. Some people find relief when they start taking over-the-counter or prescription medications. Others take arthritis medications regularly to help prevent pain before it gets too bad to do anything.

Staying active is one of the best ways to reduce arthritis symptoms. Don't force yourself to do anything that causes severe pain. However, stretching and moving your body can help reduce pain and stiffness and prevent them from getting worse.

You don't have to be a marathon runner or an Olympic weightlifter. Walking, swimming (water puts less stress on your joints), cycling, stretching, or yoga are all great ways to help support your joints and strengthen your body's muscles.

Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about exercises that are right for you. They can suggest options that will help you stay active safely.

Do certain weather conditions aggravate arthritis?

Yes, some people may find that their arthritis pain increases in certain weather conditions. Humidity and cold are two common causes of joint pain.

There are many reasons for this. People are less active during the rainy season and winter. The cold and dampness can make your joints stiff and aggravate arthritis. Another theory is that when the atmospheric pressure (barometric pressure) changes, it affects the pressure inside the joints, increasing the pain.

If you feel like your arthritis is getting worse due to certain weather conditions or seasons, talk to your doctor. He or she can tell you ways to prevent pain and stiffness year-round, or adjust your arthritis treatments to accommodate changes in your environment.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions seen among people. But just because many people have it doesn't mean you have to live in pain.

Even with arthritis, you can live an active, happy life. The key is to understand that you are not alone and to get the right advice and treatment.

Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your arthritis symptoms. They can help you spend more time doing the things you love and reduce the amount of time you spend with stiffness and discomfort.

Arthritis can cause pain in the joints (knees, hips, back, and any joint in the body). However, try to stay as active as possible. Ask your doctor about physical therapy or occupational therapy to help you stay strong, active, and confident throughout your daily activities. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be educated. Then you can live well with this condition!

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