What Causes Arthritis?

The first thing to know about arthritis is extremely important, arthritis can develop in any jointed animal or human of any age, babies or pensioners can suffer although of course the perception of an arthritis sufferer is of an old person gasping in real pain and saying "oh! Me joints."

So exactly what is arthritis and why do animals and humans get it? Arthritis is a joint disorder where the joints and the areas around them become swollen and inflamed.

Before we continue it might be important to know exactly what is a joint though, simply a joint is a part of the body of a human or animal where two different bones meet such as the hip, knee or elbow. Joints are mechanical and are used by human and animal skeletons to enable the body parts around the joints to move. Lining each joint is a layer of porous material called cartilage, which not only acts as a cushion between the hard edges of the bone but also provides a form of secretion, which lubricates the joints.

This is exactly where arthritis strikes indeed arthritis is frequently accompanied by pain in the joints this pain is called arthralgia.

Today it has been estimated that worldwide there are over 100 different types of arthritis and that number of diagnosed variations is growing every year. In humans and animals the various types of arthritis present in totally differently ways; some are related to the simple mechanical wear and tear of the cartilage surrounding the joints this type of arthritis is termed osteoarthritis.

One other major cause of arthritis is the immune system, an overactive immune system can cause inflammation this particular type of arthritis is called rheumatoid arthritis.

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis combined with the other less common variations of arthritis account for the most common chronic in the developed world.

What causes arthritis? As stated above there many different types of arthritis and the number of causes of arthritis are almost as numerous as the different types, however the main causes of this at times debilitating disease are physical or mechanical injury to the joints which leads to osteoarthritis.

Sufferers may have a metabolic abnormality or abnormalities, which may include such as gout and pseudo gout. There are also other factors than can come into play such as infections, hereditary factors. And lastly there might not be an 'apparent' cause, in cases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus it is almost impossible to identify one particular origin.

Exactly what are symptoms of arthritis? Well the symptoms of arthritis are many and various just as the disease presents itself, however most symptoms of arthritis include inflammation of the joints, stiffness of the joints with any or all of the following heat, redness, swelling and tenderness. All of the aforementioned symptoms contribute to the overall feeling of pain, discomfort and limited function of the joints.

It is understood that in a number of forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases other areas and organs of the body can be affected that aren’t related directly to the infected joint.

Patients suffering from arthritis may present symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, a general feeling of illness, gland swelling particularly in the lymph node and fever. In some cases organs such as the kidneys, lungs or heart may show signs of abnormalities.

Source: Health Guidance