Did you know that there are more than 100 types of arthritis?
Yes, you read that right!
Arthritis isn’t just one condition but a group of disorders that affect the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. In the United States, arthritis is a prevalent health issue, impacting millions of lives every year. It’s a major misconception that arthritis only affects older people. While it’s true that the risk of developing arthritis increases with age, it can affect individuals of all ages, including children and young adults.
Another thing to note is that it disproportionately affects women with statistics showing that nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are women.
Let’s discuss the most common types of arthritis in the US, causes, and symptoms.
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Osteoarthritis
What is it?
You know that feeling when your joints seem to creak a bit louder with each step?
Sure, it’s often linked with getting older, but it can also sneak up on you after a joint injury or if you’re lugging around some extra pounds.
And guess which joints get hit the hardest? Yep, the ones that bear the weight – your knees, hips, feet, and even your spine.
But it’s not like getting knocked out by the flu. You won’t find yourself bedridden with fatigue. Nope, this sneaky culprit just quietly makes its presence known with aches and pains, without any of the dramatic flair.
What is happening to the body?
When it comes to osteoarthritis, it feels like your body’s shock absorber is slowly losing its effectiveness.
Cartilage, the protective covering at the ends of bones, undergoes a gradual breakdown, diminishing its ability to cushion joints.
As cartilage wears away, movement becomes increasingly painful, often accompanied by audible grating sounds as bones rub against each other.
Symptoms
- Persistent discomfort or pain
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like dressing, grooming, or holding objects, depending on the affected joints
- Morning stiffness typically easing within half an hour
- Discomfort during walking
- Stiffness following periods of rest
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Rheumatoid arthritis
What is it?
Rheumatoid arthritis is basically your immune system going rogue. Instead of protecting you, it decides to pick a fight with your own body, especially your joints, leading to inflammation and soreness.
Around 1 in 5 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis might notice these little skin bumps called rheumatoid nodules.
They’re like little reminders popping up in areas that bear the brunt of the pressure, like over your knuckles, elbows, or heels.
What is happening to the body?
The precise cause of RA remains unknown to doctors.
However, some theories suggest that an infection by bacteria or a virus may trigger an immune system response, leading it to mistakenly attack the joints.
This autoimmune reaction can extend to affect other areas of the body.
Symptoms
- Pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Swollen joins, especially wrists, hands, or feet
- Same symptoms on both sides of the body
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Weakness
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Psoriatic arthritis
What is it?
The majority of individuals diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis already have the skin condition psoriasis.
Psoriasis manifests as irregular, raised, reddish and whitish patches of skin with flaky scales, commonly appearing on elbows, knees, scalp, abdomen, and genital or anal areas.
Around 10% to 30% of psoriasis sufferers develop psoriatic arthritis.
What is happening to the body?
This form typically initiates between 30 and 50 years old, though onset can occur earlier, even in childhood, and affects both genders equally.
Usually, the skin condition (psoriasis) precedes joint symptoms.
Symptoms
- Scaly, inflamed patches on skin
- Joint pain & stiffness
- Swelling & tenderness in joints
- Fatigue & tiredness
CAC Wellness is here to support you!
Dr. Ali, a dedicated rheumatologist in the heart of Tennessee, had a vision to provide comprehensive arthritis care to his patients and bridge the gap between traditional pharmaceuticals and holistic health.
With almost two decades of experience, Dr. Ali has a deep understanding of how the pharmacology of allopathic medicine works. He firmly believes that patients who fall in the treatment gap can hugely benefit from a combination of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
CAC Wellness arthritis support supplements are formulated to meet the highest standards and are designed to help you on your journey to holistic health.
References
- WebMD. (August 07, 2022). The Most Common Arthritis Types. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/most-common-arthritis-types
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Arthiritis Types. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/types/index.html#:~:text=Specific%20symptoms%20vary%20depending%20on,include%20joint%20pain%20and%20stiffness.&text=Osteoarthritis%20is%20the%20most%20common,hands%2C%20hips%2C%20and%20knees.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Psoriatic Arthritis. NIH NIAMS. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriatic-arthritis#:~:text=It%20happens%20when%20the%20immune,pain%20before%20the%20skin%20rash.