Arthritis Specialist

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis occurs in the joints and causes inflammation and usually pain. Generally, more people develop it as they age. Additionally, it may worsen as the person ages. There are several types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. The most common types are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis? The two most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Swelling and redness are common, too. In many cases, the patient will experience a decreased range of motion. The symptoms worsen over time, and those with rheumatoid arthritis will notice the condition is progressive. When left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis becomes crippling because it damages the entire joint and bones surrounding it.

What Causes Arthritis?

This depends on the type. Although the wear and tear can occur over time, it’s possible for it to arise from an infection or injury. The body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint capsule in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis. Uric acid crystals, psoriasis, or lupus may lead to arthritis. Being overweight puts a person more at risk for developing certain types of arthritis. Family history, age, and gender all affect the likelihood of a person developing it. For instance, older individuals, those who have other members of the family who have it and females are all more likely to get arthritis.

How’s It Treated?

It’s treated in various ways that are determined by the type of arthritis. Treatment centers around improving the quality of life in Order Rulesets  Word count in BODY of Service Page content There were no Copyscape matches found. addition to reducing symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They’re prescribed to patients with mild to moderate cases. In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe an analgesic such as Percocet. Corticosteroids may be given orally or injected to reduce pain and inflammation. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used in rheumatoid arthritis patients to get the person’s immune system to stop attacking the joints or at least slow down the process.