March 28, 2024

What Is Arthritis? Arthritis Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatments – Prevention Magazine

Bending your knees to climb the stairs. Moving your fingers to button a shirt. Swaying your hips to a favorite song. Most of us don’t give much thought to these simple movements, unless they start to become painful or difficult. That can happen when a person has arthritis.

What is arthritis?

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Bending your knees to climb the stairs. Moving your fingers to button a shirt. Swaying your hips to a favorite song. Most of us don’t give much thought to these simple movements, unless they start to become painful or difficult. That can happen when a person has arthritis.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a progressive condition marked by pain or stiffness in the joints—parts of the body where two or more bones meet (like the elbow, wrist, or knee). It can be caused by simple wear and tear or by an overactive immune system, depending on the type of arthritis. But in both cases, the condition can make it harder to carry out everyday activities and have a major impact on a person’s quality of life.

Roughly 58.5 million US adults have been diagnosed with arthritis, and that number is expected to jump to 78 million by 2040, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s the leading cause of work disability, and may increase a person’s risk for problems like excess body fat and depression.

“With arthritis, even the simplest tasks can become monumental. Whether it’s knitting, hiking, cycling, or just playing with a beloved pet, the pain, stiffness and limitations that come with arthritis can render these activities difficult,” says Elizabeth Ortiz, M.D., a Dallas-based rheumatologist in private practice and medical director of Motto Health.

The condition doesn’t have to sideline you, though. With the right care plan, you can keep your arthritis symptoms in check and find ways to do more of the things you love with less pain.

Types of arthritis

You might be surprised to hear that there are more than 100 types of arthritis. While each kind has its own specific symptoms, most can be lumped into one of two big categories.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis or OA is the most common type of arthritis. It’s sometimes called degenerative arthritis, since it happens when wear and tear (from repeatedly using a joint or injuring it) causes damage to a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the smooth, flexible tissue that cushions the ends of your bones, allowing your joints to move without friction. Once it becomes damaged or roughened, the …….

Source: https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a41318174/what-is-arthritis/