**SayPro Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful rheumatic condition that causes joint inflammation. There are many different types of arthritis that can affect the joints and other areas of the body and cause similar symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and stiffness

Symptoms
Symptoms of OA include:

pain and swelling in the joints
joint stiffness
limited range of motion
People often experience OA symptoms in the hips, hands, and knees.

Risk factors
The following increase the likelihood of developing OA:

joint overuse, which can happen due to aging
joint injury
being female
obesity
a family history of OA

Symptoms
RA does not only affect joints. It can also cause problems in other organs of the body, including the heart, lungs, and eyes.

While some people experience a sustained progression of the disease, the intensity of symptoms usually comes and goes. Symptoms may include:

pain, stiffness, and swelling in several joints at once
fatigue
unexplained weight loss
fever

Another characteristic of RA is symmetrical involvement. This means pain and signs of inflammation occur on both sides of the body and in the same joints.

Complications
RA can cause lasting tissue damage, which can lead toTrusted Source:

recurring pain
destruction of joints
deformity or incorrect alignment of joints
limited joint mobility
Some people who have RA may also need assistance walking.

Risk factors
Some RA risk factors include:

being older
being female
having specific genes
smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke early in life
having never given birth
having obesity

Diagnosis
Reaching a definitive diagnosis may take time, because many types of arthritis are similar or resemble other conditions.

Typically, a doctor will first check a person’s medical and family history. They will also ask about symptoms and perform a physical exam. They may run tests such as:

imaging tests, including X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasound scans
nerve tests
blood tests
joint fluid tests
skin or muscle biopsies
Treatment
Arthritis management depends on the type of arthritis. There are different forms of treatment available.

Medications
Medical treatment for arthritis may involve:

over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief of pain and swelling caused by inflammation
corticosteroid injections administered by a physician
topical pain relief creams and gel
disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
biologics
Surgery
Surgery may not be necessary for everyone with arthritis. However, it can benefit certain complications of arthritis that result in malalignment of joints and functional limitations due to damaged joints. It can also help with intractable pain, which is when a person experiences pain that is difficult to treat or manage.

Common surgeries for arthritis include:

foot, ankle, hand, or wrist surgery
hip or knee replacement surgery
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can be a great option for people with arthritis. It can help ease pain or increase activity.

Behavioral changes that can help with arthritis may include:

getting regular exercise
quitting smoking, if applicable
reaching or maintaining a moderate weight
eating a healthful diet
Home remedies
Some people find certain home remedies helpful in relieving pain and swelling from certain types of arthritis. These may include:

hot and cold therapy
mindfulness strategies, such as meditation
massage
To discover more evidence-based information and resources for arthritis, visit our dedicated hub.

When to contact a doctor
If a person has experienced joint symptoms that last more than 3 days, they should seek treatment from a healthcare professional.

Similarly, if a person has joint symptoms at different times within a month, they should also contact a doctor.

Living with arthritis
Medications and other treatments can help a person manage chronic symptoms, such as pain and swelling.

Pain will come and go with many types of arthritis. However, even if the pain resolves, a person should still seek treatment.

It is important to treat arthritis early. If left untreated, some types of arthritis may worsen over time and cause permanent disability.