Arthritis

Name: Arthritis
SKU: 105
Price: 35.00 GBP
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What is Arthritis?

Arthritis causes inflammation and pain in the joints. The most prevalent varieties of arthritis in the UK are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are many others, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment choices. It becomes more common as you become older, but anyone, including children, can be affected. The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis you have, and which joints are afflicted.

If you have an established diagnosis, our clinician can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and recommend exercises. Please book video or telephone consultation. If you do not have a formal diagnosis, please speak to your regular GP.

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Are there different types of Arthritis and Symptoms?

The following are the different types of Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis (OA):

Description: The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. It typically affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):

Description: An autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium), causing inflammation. It can lead to joint damage and deformity over time.
Symptoms: Symmetrical joint pain and swelling, especially in the hands, wrists, and feet, along with fatigue, fever, and weight loss. RA can also affect other organs, such as the lungs and heart.

Psoriatic Arthritis:

Description: A form of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, a skin condition. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, often affecting fingers and toes, as well as skin symptoms like red, scaly patches.

Ankylosing Spondylitis:

Description: A type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing inflammation of the spinal joints, leading to chronic pain and stiffness.
Symptoms: Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Over time, it can lead to fusion of the spine.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA):

Description: The most common form of arthritis in children, JIA causes persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, often accompanied by fever, rash, and fatigue.

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus):

Description: An autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and damage to joints as well as other organs, such as the skin, kidneys, and heart.
Symptoms: Joint pain and swelling, along with a wide range of other symptoms like fatigue, skin rashes, and organ involvement.

Infectious Arthritis:

Description: An infection in the joint, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent joint damage.
Symptoms: Severe joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, often accompanied by fever.

Reactive Arthritis:

Description: A type of arthritis that occurs as a reaction to an infection in another part of the body, often affecting the knees, ankles, and feet.
Symptoms: Joint pain and swelling, often associated with eye inflammation, urinary problems, and skin rashes.

What are the causes of Arthritis?

The following are common causes:

Genetics: A family history of arthritis can increase the risk of developing certain types, like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Age: The risk of many types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, increases with age.

Gender: Some types of arthritis are more common in women (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), while others are more common in men (e.g., gout).

Injury: Joint injuries can lead to the development of arthritis later in life.

Infection: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can trigger arthritis in some cases.

Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus involve the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues, including the joints.

Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Is there treatment available for Arthritis?

Medications:

NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: Reduce inflammation quickly; can be taken orally or injected directly into the joint.
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Used in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis to slow disease progression (e.g., methotrexate).
Biologics: A newer class of DMARDs that target specific parts of the immune system (e.g., TNF inhibitors).
Analgesics: Pain relievers like acetaminophen; do not reduce inflammation.
Urate-Lowering Drugs: For gout, medications like allopurinol reduce uric acid levels.

Physical Therapy:

Tailored exercises to strengthen muscles around the joints, improve range of motion, and reduce pain.

Lifestyle Changes:

Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on joints.
Exercise: Regular, low-impact activities like swimming or walking can improve joint function.
Diet: A balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids) may help manage symptoms.

Assistive Devices:

Canes, splints, or braces can help support joints and reduce strain.

Surgery:

Joint Replacement: In severe cases, damaged joints may be replaced with artificial ones (e.g., hip or knee replacement).
Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive surgery to repair or clean out a damaged joint.
Joint Fusion: Used to stabilize a joint, often in cases where joint replacement is not an option.

If you have an established diagnosis, our clinician can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and recommend exercises. Please book a video or telephone consultation.

If you do not have a formal diagnosis, please speak to your regular GP.

Musculoskeletal pain can be similar to arthritis pain, please click the link for information: /product/shoulder-pain/