Hello All, today we are going to look at What is the Cause of Arthritis? So, Arthritis, many people believe that this disease is a medical condition experienced only by the elderly. However, a persistent backache, neck strain, or other painful conditions where the joints are concerned could very well actually be down to osteoarthritis.
OA is a common form of arthritis that can affect people of any age. In fact, with every type of arthritis, the area surrounding the joints including the elbows, knees and wrists can become very swollen and inflamed; red, and tender to the touch.
In many incidences, there is also a warm sensation around the joints.
But What is the Cause of Arthritis? For today’s post, we are going to delve in deep and find out exactly what this is.
What Is The Cause of Arthritis?
What is Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect any joint in the body.
But, are you aware, there are over 100 different types of arthritis (1). All with a variety of different causes and different ways of treating them. Indeed, on the whole scope of it, this is a condition that can affect a lot of different people.
Although, Two of the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).
The symptoms generally appear over a long period, but they can also show up quite suddenly.
Arthritis is most commonly found in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in people of any age, even babies. It is more common in women than men and in people who are overweight or obese.
Causes Of Arthritis
What is the cause of arthritis? Normal wear and tear on the joints are the most common causes of OA. An injury or an infection in the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Your risk of developing OA can be significantly higher if you have other family members with the disease.
RA is an autoimmune disorder. It happens when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. The immune system is there to protect the body from harm. These attacks affect the synovium, a soft tissue in your joints that produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints. This is needed in order to move the joints.
RA is a disease of the synovium that will invade and destroy a joint. It can eventually lead to the destruction of both bone and cartilage inside the joint. It is believed to be the most painful of the two.
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed
What is the cause of arthritis?
If you are suffering from a lot of pain in your joints the best thing to do is visit your doctor. They will perform a physical examination to check for fluid around the joints; warm or red joints, and a limited range of motion.
Your doctor can then refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Seeing a Rheumatologist is the quickest way to get a diagnosis and be out of pain.
Specific Blood tests that check for types of antibodies like anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), RF (rheumatoid factor), and ANA (antinuclear antibody) are also common diagnostic tests.
Other methods used are X-ray, MRI, and CT scans these produce images of your bones and cartilage. This is so they can rule out other causes such as bone spurs.
Treatment Options
The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the amount of pain you are experiencing. This can either be by reducing inflammation and to prevent further damage to the joints.
You will learn what works for you in terms of pain control. Some prefer to use heating pads and ice packs. Others use mobility aids, like canes or walkers, to help to take the pressure off of the sore inflamed joints.
There are also specific exercises you can do to improve mobility and make life a little easier.
Medication
- Immunosuppressants like prednisone or cortisone help to reduce inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and salicylates, help control pain and inflammation.
- Salicylates can thin the blood, so they should be used very cautiously with additional blood-thinning medications.
- Menthol or capsaicin creams block the transmission of pain signals from your joints.
- Analgesics, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are also effective for pain management. Although, don’t help with inflammation, and can be very addictive.
- If you prefer a more natural approach – Supplements are another way of treating Arthritis. I have reviewed 2 different products here both I recommend. Check out my review for HFL Inflame and Pain Relief HERE. Or click the link above to read my review for ProJointPlus
If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis your doctor may put you on a course of corticosteroids. Or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which suppress your immune system. This stops the disease from attacking the soft tissue.
There are also many medications to treat Osteoarthritis on prescription and over the counter drugs.
Surgery
Having a surgical procedure to replace your joint with an artificial one may also be an option. Knees and hips are the most common ones to be replaced.
If your arthritis is very severe in your wrists or fingers, your doctor might perform a joint fusion.
In this procedure, the ends of your bones are locked together until they heal and become one.
What Does Arthritis Feel Like…
…and How Do You Know If You Have it?
For anyone that doesn’t know. An osteoarthritis is a form of pain that gradually worsens over time. Unlike a major knee, wrist or back pain that happens suddenly and is excruciating in an attack. This begins with a twinge and becomes worse over time.
Osteoarthritis feels more like an overall achiness or an acute pain in one or many of the areas affected.
Pain caused by osteoarthritis can also come and go. Where you will feel normal and flexible for weeks or even months before the pain returns worse than ever.
You May Have Difficulty with Movement
In addition to feeling stiff and achy, when getting up, you may also notice the inability to bend flexibly. Sometimes osteoarthritis sufferers find it difficult to arch their back or bend over because it triggers intense severe pain.
Many activities including dance, yoga or sports might become more challenging because of a limited range of motion and stiffness that only improves with exercise and stretching. The pain can move into different areas, where the neck might be sore on the first day, the shoulder the next day, and the other shoulder sometime later.
Numbness and Tingling
Many people often believe they are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. When in fact it could be arthritis of the spine because of similar symptoms. Arthritis often appears as stiffness or a sensation in the fingers, hands, or wrists; causing the loss of control of fine motor movements.
In addition, the condition can arise as numbness, tingling, or twinge radiating from the shoulder down through the arm. As a result of nerve compression, it may be that the individual feels pain in a specific area, or down the entire arm.
The sensation is also known to come and go.
When people wonder exactly what does arthritis feel like, it is important to note that every sufferer can experience different symptoms. Some may have weakness, numbness or pain in the legs, while others are presented with tingling and stiffness. Still, others might be experiencing aches and pains that mimic other degenerative diseases or conditions.
Foods That Can Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is the cause of arthritis? Studies have shown that eating less protein may help to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. So, reducing the intake of such things as nuts, beans, and meats may lessen the symptoms.
On a 2000 calorie diet, for example, only 400 to 600 of those calories per day should be protein.
Eating a diet containing gluten, which is foods with Wheat, Barley, and Rye in them may aggravate rheumatoid arthritis.
Trying a gluten-free diet can help to cleanse these toxins out of the system and may provide some relief to the condition.
You would also need to eliminate bread, cereals and other foods. Also, be patient enough to learn to read labels consistently for Gluten. Baked beans for example depending on the brand may contain gluten.
Other than this Green and White teas have high levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Raising these levels has been shown to also reduce the symptoms.
Exercises You Can Do at Home
What is the cause of arthritis?
Exercises for Osteoarthritis
Low impact exercises for the hips such as walking, yoga, swimming and using a stationary bike are great ways to strengthen your muscles and aid in movement and balance.
Other exercises you can do for specific body parts
Knees and Hips.
- One-leg balance: Stand next to a chair or a sturdy table, and place one hand on it for support. Lift one leg and balance on the other leg for up to 15 seconds. As you get stronger, you can use one finger or let go of your support altogether. Repeat on the other side. Do 10 repetitions on each side.
- Sit to stand. Sit in a chair. Slowly stand up, and sit back down again without using your hands for support. Concentrate on keeping your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees over your feet. If you need help, use the armrests to lower yourself down. Repeat for 30 seconds or longer if you feel able to.
- Mini wall squats. Stand with your head and back against the wall. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down slightly, so that your knees bend at a 30-degree angle. Press back up to stand. Repeat 10 times, if you can do 15 or 20 repetitions then go ahead.
- Sitting knee flexing. Sit on the edge of a chair. (Making sure the chair is stable and won’t tip over.) Lift one knee and place your shin in your hands; Gently pull your shin toward your thigh. Hold for 5 to 6 seconds; lower back to the ground. Switch sides. Repeat at least 10 times.
Hand exercises.
Make a C or an O
Move your fingers like you’re going to grab a little ball, and try to form a shape of a C or an O. Go as far as you can (an O would be making a complete circle with your fingers and thumb). Straighten your fingers and repeat this 10 times and then swap hands.
Bend your fingers
Stretch your hand in front of you, palm up. Then take each finger and move it very slowly to the centre of your palm. Hold it, then straighten. Repeat this 10 times and then swap hands.
Thumbs up
Have your hand in a loose fist with the small finger side of your hand on a table. Then point your thumb to make the thumbs-up sign, put it down, and repeat. 10 times with each thumb.
Thumb bends
I have a great deal of pain in my thumbs and some times limited movement, I find this exercise helps a great deal. “Bend your thumb toward your palm—try to reach your little finger and if you can’t, go as far as you can, hold and then start again.” Repeat 10 times with each hand.
Make a fist
Make a fist and then open your hand and stretch out your fingers as far as you can, hold this position for 10 seconds, do this 10 times for each hand.
Neck Exercises
Chin Tuck
Lie on the floor with a rolled-up towel under your neck. Your head should still be touching the floor.
Slowly bring your chin toward your chest.
Hold for a count of 5 and then relax for 10 seconds.
Repeat 10 to 15 times.
Rotation exercises
Sit in a hard chair, or stand up straight if you prefer.
Keep your chin level, turn your head to the right, and hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
Turn your head to the left and hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
Repeat 3 to 5 times to each side. It’s best for you to start exercising very slowly, 10 minutes a day would be a good amount of time. If you feel lots of pain then stop immediately.
My Final Thoughts
What is the cause of arthritis? Having Arthritis can be a very pain full experience. If you can eat a balanced diet with the recommended foods and do a gentle exercise regime you will find it eases the pain and helps with mobility and strength.
YOUR FEEDBACK
I wish to thank you very much for reading this article, what is the cause of arthritis? If you have a comment or a question then please leave it below. I love hearing from you and I will always get back to you.
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Take great care of yourself because you are worth it.
Alex
Sources of Information:
1.) https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis
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Hi Lisa,
Awesome article, thank you!
I have problems with my knees for a long time now. It all started a few years ago. I couldn’t bend my knees anymore. So I went to the doctor and he sent me to do physiotherapy, which didn’t help at all. It aggravated my pain. I used to power walking every day, but today I can’t even walk a few meters and my knees start to hurt. Anyway, in a week, I am going to do an MRI, so I hope I don’t suffer from Arthritis. Just would like to know, does the pain goes away with the medical treatment?
Also, can it be cured, or it’s for a lifetime?
I am very worried.
Thank you very much!
Hi Daniella,
I very much appreciate you reading and commenting on this article.
You are right about it being extremely painful.
Lisa
Hi There,
Thanks so much for sharing a good article to read today to know more about what the cause of arthritis is.
My grandmother used to suffer it and it was so painful to see her some days as she used to tell me it was really bad pain for her.
After reading your article, I could understand more what is arthritis and why it’s is so painful for people who suffer from it, I think it’s hard for people who doesn’t suffer from it to understand and be nice to people going through it.
I see you describe in your article diet can help a lot to keep this diseases under control, it’s good to find a website where anyone can find great information to help them to have a better life, thanks for sharing this accurate information again.
Hello Alejandra,
I appreciate you stopping by and commenting on this post. Arthritis pain, is a pain like no other. It’s very difficult to explain and it can be extremely debilitating. Eating the right foods can give you a lot of benefit, not only with arthritis but to your overall health.
Lisa
I am an osteoarthritis patient for the last 20 yrs and have studied hundreds of pages on the internet. For me, this article is the most comprehensive, I have ever read.
In my personal life – immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Menthol or capsaicin creams and analgesics – all have failed to give any sustained and effective relief. So, I have no confidence in these drugs. Although they do work for other people I know.
In the first phase( age 33 to age 45 years), I got benefitted from exercise a lot. I accepted it ( exercise) as the only treatment of arthritis. But, in the second phase ( age 45 to age 58), I have understood that food can make the most impactful result in the life of an arthritis patient.
Hello and thank you very much for the comment.
As I said, I suffer from osteoarthritis and have found exercise and diet help a lot. As do some of the natural supplements.
My mum suffers with arthritis in her fingers and it is hard to watch her struggling to try and complete even simple tasks. She has always been so independent and finds it difficult to ask for help when she needs it.
So not only does arthritis affect people physically, but also mentally. She is loosing confidence and is often upset that she is loosing her ability to take care of herself.
I have often encouraged her to exercise which does help give some relief, and now will share with her your dietary tips in the hopes that it helps relieve her pain some more.
Thanks for the information.
Hi Andrew, Yes I hope this helps. Has your mum tried any supplements with Glucosamine and Chondroitin for example. From what I have read the problem is to do with fluid retention in our joints. I still need to do a bit more research but I will be doing a couple posts soon that explore this further.