What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation that can affect one or multiple joints and includes conditions that affect bones, muscles and soft tissues. Joint pain can limit mobility, cause muscle weakness and make it hard to sleep. There are many of types of arthritis, each with different causes, symptoms and treatments.
Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Different types of arthritis develop at various stages of life. Osteoarthritis generally affects older adults, while RA often develops in younger people.
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage in joints breaks down. Over time, the loss of this rubbery cushioning causes bones to rub together, resulting in pain and stiffness. Depending on the location and severity, OA can decrease the range of motion and flexibility in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
OA symptoms can range from mild to severe and may impact your mobility and lifestyle. Severe OA may lead to disability and require a joint replacement. People who have arthritis may have a combination of joint pain and stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, grating sensation, bone spurs and swelling.
Causes of osteoarthritis
Risk factors for OA include repeated stress on joints, injuries and obesity, which can contribute to developing OA. In OA, “wear and tear” on joints progressively damages cartilage and can cause bone-on-bone friction, resulting in chronic pain and loss of movement and symptoms often appear or worsen as people age.
Risk factors for osteoarthritis
While anyone can develop OA, family history, age, gender and lifestyle factors contribute to the type and severity of arthritis people develop. Risk factors for OA include:
- Family history: People who have a family member with OA may be at higher risk of developing OA themselves
- Age: OA risk increases as people age and lose muscle that keeps joints stable.
- Gender: OA is more common in women.
- Lifestyle factors: Obesity, smoking, joint injuries and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of developing arthritis.
Preventing osteoarthritis
Maintaining a healthy weight can prevent arthritis. This reduces stress on the joints and lowers the risk of arthritis.
As with most health conditions, staying as active as possible is important to remain flexible and keep your joints from getting stiff and weak. Your doctor may recommend low-impact exercises and gentle movement like tai chi—a mind-body exercise that can build flexibility and strength.
Eating foods that fight inflammation can reduce joint pain and arthritis risk. Anti-inflammatory foods are unprocessed, low in saturated fat and high in fiber. Make sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and fish.
If you have arthritis, certain movements can be painful, like opening a jar or squatting at the gym. You can avoid putting extra stress on joints or risking injury by modifying activities or using assistive devices.
Treating osteoarthritis
It’s possible to treat the pain caused by OA, but there’s no way to reverse the damage once cartilage is lost. Medications, physical therapy and lifestyle changes can help manage the severity of your symptoms. Staying active, losing excess weight and avoiding activities that repeatedly stress joints can help reduce pain.
People who are genetically predisposed to OA, those born with bone deformities and people with metabolic diseases like diabetes should talk to their doctor about their medical and surgical treatment options. Your doctor may discuss cortisone injections to lessen joint pain or procedures to realign bones and replace joints or hips.
