Home - health - What You Should Know About Arthritis As A Joint Condition
What you should know about arthritis as a joint condition

What you should know about arthritis as a joint condition

The joints in our bodies are constantly working while we move our limbs. Hence, it is understandable that with time we may develop certain joint conditions that lead to pain and compromised mobility. One of the very common forms of these conditions is arthritis. It leads to joint inflammation. A condition that mainly affects people over 65 years of age, it can be more commonly seen in women.

Different stages of arthritis

There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most commonly occurring ones are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages.

  • Stage 1
    During this stage, inflammation occurs in the joints. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pains are common symptoms of this stage. The joint tissues swell up, too.
  • Stage 2
    During this time, the joint lining, synovium, is inflamed even more and results in cartilage damage. The joints’ motion capability is compromised due to this, leading to pain.
  • Stage 3
    In this stage, the severity of the joint condition becomes even more harmful. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to bone damages. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles.
  • Stage 4
    This is the end stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Osteoarthritis has four stages of progression, too.

  • Stage 1
    Tiny wear and tear may occur on the knee joints, and spur growths on the bone can be seen. It does not cause too much pain.
  • Stage 2
    The bone spur growths increase and lead to pain. The knee joints start to become stiffer.
  • Stage 3
    During this time, the joint inflammation leads to even more pain and stiffness. Walking can result in popping sounds, too.
  • Stage 4
    The space between the bones in the joints become very narrow, which leads to wearing of the cartilages. A chronic inflammatory response is caused by the breakdown of cartilages and leads to even more discomfort and pain.

Diagnosis of arthritis

These joint conditions can be diagnosed by a doctor using medical tests. A physical exam will reveal if you have red and warm joints. The test is also performed to examine the fluid around your joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the levels of inflammation in your joint fluids and blood to determine what type of arthritis you have. Blood tests are also done to check for antibodies such as anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans are also performed to check the condition of your cartilage and bones.

Prevention of arthritis

A family history of arthritis or aging can cause you to suffer from the disease, and you may not have any control over it. However, there are certain things that can be done to lower the chances of you developing arthritis. To start with, include omega-3 in your diet. You should also exercise regularly, keep your weight under check, not put your joints under stress, and try to avoid injuries.

If you ever feel any symptoms of arthritis, you should see your doctor immediately. They can help you slow the progress of the joint condition.

Latest Articles

Anemia – Symptoms, types, and prevention
health

Anemia – Symptoms, types, and prevention

Anemia is a kind of medical condition in which an adequate amount of oxygen fails to reach one’s body’s tissues owing to the deficiency of red blood cells in their body. When one suffers from this condition, their body feels weak and exhausted all the time. Symptoms There are different kinds of anemia and each of them has a cause of its own. It can have short-term or long-term effects and the disease can be mild or severe in nature. If one sees any symptoms suggesting that point toward anemia, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately. The signs vary from person to person and depend on the cause or their origin. Sometimes, the chronic disease causes anemia and the doctor ends up diagnosing the disease but the fact that one is suffering from anemia does not show up in the test. Sometimes, there are mild symptoms and then, with time the symptoms become more prominent indicating that the disease has penetrated one’s body more deeply. Some of the commonly found symptoms include breathing difficulties, fatigue, pale skin, chest pain, headache, dizziness, hands and feet turning cold, irregular heartbeat, and pain in the chest . Types of anemia Iron deficiency anemia This is the most common kind of anemia, which occurs due to iron deficiency.
Cancer – Its stages, diagnosis, and prevention
health

Cancer – Its stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cancer is a disease caused by the growth of malignant cells in the body. The formation of cells can happen anywhere, from the brain to the pancreas. Several cancerous cells clustered together form a tumor. The tumor then grows in size, spreading to other parts as well. Some cancers we know of are fatal, while some can be cured with the help of surgery, chemotherapy, and other such procedures. Let’s take a look at the stages, diagnosis, and prevention. Stages of cancer There are different stages of cancer that are classified to understand how far it has spread and the degree of treatment that may be required. Based on this, there are two bases for differentiation. Based on the numbered system, there are 4 stages. Stage 0 cancer In this stage, the cancer cells are restricted to the area of origin and they’ve not spread to any other part. Stage 1 cancer Here, the cancer cells spread to the nearby areas, but not to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 and 3 cancer This indicates that cancer has spread to nearby areas as well as lymph nodes. Stage 4 cancer Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Understanding anemia, a blood disorder
health

Understanding anemia, a blood disorder

Many different forms of blood disorders can affect the human body. These disorders can affect the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Certain disorders can also affect plasma. The development of the diseases and their treatments depend on what kind of disorder one has. One of the most common illnesses is anemia, which affects red blood cells. Types of anemia Anemia causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which leads to pale skin, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. There are many different kinds of anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia This kind of anemia is caused due to a deficiency of iron in the body, which is necessary for the production of red blood cells. This can be caused by low iron intake and loss of blood. Chronic disease influenced anemia Chronic diseases like a kidney disorder can result in anemia, too. Some people require treatment to improve blood cell production. Pernicious anemia People with autoimmune disorders or weak stomach linings may suffer from this type of anemia. One cannot absorb enough B12 from their diet, which results in this deficiency. Aplastic anemia This is one of the blood disorders that results when the bone marrow fails to produce enough red cells and other blood cells.