ARTHRITIS PROFILE - ADVANCED - Arthritis is a condition in which the joints become inflamed. It might affect a single joint or a number of joints. There are about 100 different varieties of arthritis, each with its own set of causes and treatment options.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of Arthritis in the India. Other common types of Arthritis include:
rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
gout
Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly develops after the age 50 or 60 years, but there are studies that reveal radiographic evidence of OA occurring in women in their 40s. It also tends to be more prevalent in individuals who are overweight.
Blood tests that check for specific types of antibodies like anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), RA and antinuclear antibody (ANA) are also common diagnostic tests.
wear and tear of a joint from overuse
age (OA is most common in adults over age of 50)
injuries
obesity
autoimmune disorders
genes or family history
muscle weakness
limited range of motion that sometimes goes away after movement
clicking or popping with bending
muscle weakness around the joint
instability or buckling of the joint
bony growths in the fingers
grating or scraping feeling in the knees
morning stiffness that can last 30 minutes or more
more than one affected joint
onset in smaller joints like feet and hands
same joints on both sides of the body are affected
fatigue
low-grade fever
inflammation of the eyes and mouth
inflammation of the heart muscle and blood vessels
low red blood cell count
Obesity. Particularly associated with OA, being overweight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints in the body, such as your knees and hips. Losing excess weight can help reduce your risk of developing arthritis, and it may also help if you already have the condition.
Age and gender. The risk of developing arthritis increases with age. Also, women are more likely than men to develop most forms of arthritis. The exception is gout, which is more prominent in men.
Overuse injuries. Repetitive stress injuries incurred during exercise, your job, or other activities may increase your risk of developing OA in the affected joint(s) later in life.
Your genes. A family history of autoimmune diseases as well as certain inherited genes may increase your risk of RA and other related types of arthritis.
Smoking. Your risk of developing RA increase if you smoke daily, and smoking can in turn make this autoimmune disease worse.