Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Nearly 40 million persons in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children. More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis.
What is Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Here are the most common symptoms of arthritis.
What Are The Symptoms of Arthritis
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the most common symptoms of arthritis. Your range of motion may also decrease, and you may experience redness of the skin around the joint. Many people with arthritis notice their symptoms are worse in the morning. In rare cases, you may feel tired or experience a loss of appetite due to the inflammation to immune system’s activity causes. Arthritis can also cause anemia, meaning your red blood cell count decreases.
What Causes Arthritis
Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. A reduction in the normal amount of this cartilage tissue cause some forms of arthritis. Sometimes, an infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate the natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. If you have a family history of disease, then developing OA is likely.
RA is considered an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. It is a disease that can invade and destroy a joint. Unfortunately, in these cases, the exact cause of the immunes system’s attacks is unknown.
If you are suffering from arthritis, come to LA Health Solutions today. We have experiencing helping those in pain from arthritis to get back to living a normal pain-free life.