Arthritis
Overview
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
Symptoms
There are lots of different types of arthritis. The symptoms you experience will vary depending on the type you have. This is why it's important to have an accurate diagnosis if you have: joint pain, tenderness and stiffnessinflammation in and around the jointsrestricted movement of the jointswarm red skin over the affected jointweakness and muscle wasting
Causes
Osteoarthritis: wear and tear of joints over time. Rheumatoid: autoimmune attack on joints. Risk factors: age, obesity, joint injuries, family history, gender.
Treatment
Painkillers (paracetamol); NSAIDs (ibuprofen); corticosteroid injections; DMARDs for inflammatory arthritis; biological treatments; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; weight management; exercise; surgery in some cases.
Prevention
Maintain healthy weight; regular exercise; healthy diet rich in fruits/vegetables; stop smoking; good posture; protect joints from injury.
When to see a doctor
See GP for: joint pain lasting more than few days; tenderness; stiffness; inflammation; restricted movement; warm/red skin over joints. Early treatment crucial for rheumatoid arthritis.