Arthritis, a leading cause of pain and immobility for individuals ages 55 and older, is known to attack the body’s most important joints. From knees to shoulders and your hands and back, there is no good place to develop this debilitating condition. Fortunately, advances in medical research are making effective treatment breakthroughs possible for thousands. Learn more about the types of arthritis and treatment available to you.
Most Common Types of Arthritis
The word arthritis itself means joint inflammation, but the source and severity of the inflammation differ from one individual to another. Here, we’ll look at the most common types of arthritis and how they affect your body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Often referred to as RA, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease resulting in inflammation in multiple joints at the same time. This condition causes the lining of the joints to swell which damages joint tissue. Over time, RA leads to immobility and deformity of the affected areas. Unlike other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect major organs, such as the heart and lungs. Signs and symptoms of RA include:
- Pain and stiffness in more than one joint
- Swelling and tenderness of the affected joints on both sides of the body, such as both knees or hands
- Fatigue and weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage within a joint breaks down over time. Sometimes referred to as “wear and tear,” this degeneration results in bone rubbing against bone and makes it extremely painful to perform basic movements. Risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include excessive stress on the joints, joint injury, age, gender and family history. Common symptoms are:
- Inhibited range of motion
- Inability to perform daily tasks
- Visible swelling
- Pain and tenderness
Psoriatic Arthritis
Though symptoms vary from one person to the next, psoriatic arthritis differs from other forms of joint swelling because it is combined with the presence of a skin rash. Most people have psoriasis before developing psoriatic arthritis, but this isn’t always the case. Affecting adults more than children, psoriatic arthritis leads to the following symptoms:
- Joint pain, stiffness and/or swelling
- Extreme tiredness and weakness
- Skin rashes, sometimes featuring scales or red patches
- Changes in the nail bed or nail tissue
Gout
Characterized by hyperuricemia, or a build-up of uric acid in the body, gout causes very painful swelling often localized to the lower extremities. Gout affects most individuals in flares, which are short bouts of the issue. However, repeated flares may lead to gouty arthritis known to get worse over time. Triggers for increased uric acid production in the body are certain diet and lifestyle choices, such as alcohol intake and a diet rich in red meats or seafood. Symptoms include:
- Extreme pain in one or multiple joints
- Sudden loss of movement or range of motion
- Pain and stiffness in the affected area
It’s important to know there are over one hundred types of arthritis each of which can affect you differently. Some forms of arthritis are caused by a principal disease, such as lupus. Regardless of the cause, arthritis affects every aspect of daily life and makes simple movements both challenging and painful.
Arthritis Treatment Options
If you or a loved one is living with arthritis, you may be wondering if relief is ever in the cards. Common arthritis treatment options include medication, supportive medical equipment and changes in diet or activity level. But sometimes, these options seem to be either impossible to perform or serve as a temporary solution to a long-term problem.
A more permanent solution may be surgery, which can alleviate symptoms by repairing or replacing joint tissues. Unfortunately, certain forms of arthritis affecting multiple joints make surgery an impractical option. Surgery may result in a difficult recovery period or may not be medically appropriate for some.
A Refreshingly Different Approach to Arthritis Treatment
The good news is science has come a long way. It’s now possible to experience significant joint pain relief with the use of advanced treatment options, such as our non-surgical regenerative medicine program. At ViscoGen®, we specialize in regenerative medicine that effectively reduces or eliminates pain while strengthening joints to prevent future symptoms – all without surgery!
Our non-invasive treatments were developed to help you overcome the debilitating symptoms of arthritis and get back to living the life you love (and loving the life you live). Contact our regenerative medicine specialists in Orlando today at ViscoGen® to learn how we can help you!
