Arthritis is more common than you think. There are millions of people in the US alone suffering from one kind of arthritis. Contrary to the norms, arthritis is not an old person’s disease because there are hundred types of arthritis, of which can affect kids and teenagers as well.
Arthritis in general is an inflammation in the joints that results to a constant pain. Whether it is caused by other disease or the normal wear and tear will depend on the kind of arthritis you have.
Osteoarthritis
This is one of the most common types of arthritis and is caused by putting extreme pressure to your joints; thus the bones deteriorate and pain is felt. Older people are prone to osteoarthritis but if you are just in your 20s or 40s, you can also have osteoarthritis if you engage in persistent rough sports activity, dancing and similar other types of activities that squeeze your joints against each other, making it stiff in the process. You are also susceptible to developing this degenerative disease if someone in your family has it because this is hereditary. This type of arthritis is also common in the obese whose hefty weight demand a lot from their own joints. Knowing that you are inclined to have this, it will be better to start early prevention by engaging in mild and stretch exercise to keep your bones and joints healthy and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another one of the most common kind of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis where something – a bacteria or virus – causes your own immune system to attack your joints, and other parts of your body. Though the exact cause of RA is not known, it is seen more common among family. Symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and chronic pain. If left untreated at the early stage, it will attack other parts of your joints and may even lead to deformity. Since the exact nature of RA has not been discovered yet, there is no proven way to prevent it from happening to you. However, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help increase your immunity against infection.
Juvenile Arthritis
There are about thousands of children, young adults, and teenagers diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Juvenile arthritis initially may appear like ordinary fever whose signs include lethargy, fever, eye inflammation, limping, muscle soreness, poor appetite, decreased level of physical movement that gradually leads to swelling and pain. Like RA, the cause of juvenile arthritis is unknown but genetics seem to be the common factor among children.
Gout
One telltale sign that someone has gout or a gouty arthritis is a big, red, swollen toe. Though it is predisposed to develop on your biggest toe, it can progress to other joints like in your ankle and knees if gout is not treated. Pain usually happens during the night that lasts for hours. This is more common in men and was actually believed to be a “king’s disease” as this was a common concern of the Royal people who ate too much. The main cause of such inflammation is high level of uric acid, which is associated with eating too much salty and processed food. Just like the osteoarthritis, you prevent it from happening to you by following a healthy diet of vegetables and fruits, and keeping a healthy lifestyle.
