What is arthritis?
Arthritis is quite common and causes inflammation in the joints. It can happen to anyone at any age. There are many types of arthritis, and the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the cause of arthritis?
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis appears in women over 40, and it can be inherited. It can also be a result of injury and other conditions where the joints are affected. The cartilage lining of the joint thins out, which means the tendons and ligaments have to work much harder. This causes pain, swelling and stiffness. When a lot of cartilage is lost, this can force the bones out of position.
- Rheumatoid arthritis affects women too and starts between ages 30 and 50. The immune system starts to target the affected joints and this can cause pain and swelling. It can affect the whole joint after time which causes the bone and cartilage to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other parts of the body too.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
As there are different types of arthritis, the symptoms can vary. A person with arthritis may experience:
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Inflammation around the joints
- Limited movement of joints
- Weakness
- Muscle wasting
