what is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for conditions that cause inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain, and reduced movement. It can affect people of all ages, including children. There are many types, impacting daily life, often requiring treatment to improve mobility and minimise chronic pain.
In reality there are many reasons why people develop arthritic conditions and, although there is no cure, drug treatments that slow down the degeneration are available. Surgery can be used to replace joints that are too badly damaged. With around 200 different types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, the symptoms are varied and can take some time to diagnose correctly.
Symptoms to note include red, swollen, stiff and sore joints, especially if the pain is recurring and unrelated to any activity or injury. Chronic fatigue and increased tiredness can also be indications of arthritis. Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help your GP or clinician to reach a diagnosis and progress your treatment faster.
The two most common conditions are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, affecting over 9 million people of all ages. Osteoarthritis affects the surface and integrity of the bones in a joint, which leads to extreme pain on movement. Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint swelling, stiffness and pain, and is treated with a range of drugs and steroids. Treatments include drugs to reduce the impact of the condition and surgery when necessary.
Most types of arthritis are long-term conditions. There may be occasions where the symptoms disappear completely for a long period. Unfortunately, there will also be periods where the symptoms are more severe. These flare-ups can be caused by triggers factors such as an injury or a viral infection, but they can also occur for no apparent reason at all. The goal of people living with arthritis is to avoid flare-ups by identifying their triggers and managing the problems they cause.
Not surprisingly, with more than 200 types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions comes a wide range of symptoms. Not all indicate the presence of arthritis, so a good relationship with your GP is essential. If you have already been diagnosed with arthritis, you may have been made aware of the symptoms to expect, but it is worth keeping an eye on any new symptoms. Keeping a diary of symptoms and pain will help clinicians diagnose any developments in your condition and prescribe the relevant tests or treatments.
People living with arthritis usually require a combination of these clinical treatments over time in order to maintain or improve mobility and reduce chronic pain and stiffness.