Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

 Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disease that affects your joints. It can cause pain and swelling, making it difficult to move or stay active. There are many types of arthritis. Each form creates different symptoms and may require different treatments. Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually affects older adults, it can develop in men, women, and children of any age.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Different types of arthritis have different symptoms that can vary from person to person. Osteoarthritis usually does not cause any symptoms other than joint pain. Symptoms of other forms of arthritis can include fatigue, fever, rash, and symptoms of joint inflammation, including:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Redness
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• Warmth

Causes of Arthritis

The cause of many forms of arthritis is unknown. Researchers look at the role of genes (genes) and lifestyle in developing arthritis.

There are several things that may raise your risk for arthritis, including:

Age: Over time, your joints tend to get worn down. That's why the risk of developing arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, goes up with age.

Sex: Many forms of arthritis are more common in women, with the exception of gout.

Genes: Some forms of arthritis run in families. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis, for example, are linked to specific genes.

Excess Weight: Obesity puts extra pressure on weight-bearing joints, increasing aging and the risk of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis.

Injuries: They can cause joint damage that can lead to other types of condition.

Infection: Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can enter the joints and cause inflammation.

Work: Other activities that use repetitive movements or heavy lifting can compress members or cause injury, which can lead to arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. For example, if you need to bend your knees and do a lot of squats at work, you are more likely to get osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of Arthritis

If you think you have arthritis, see your healthcare provider. The provider will ask about your symptoms and learn how joint pain affects your health. Your provider will perform a physical exam, which may include:

• Check the movement and range of motion in your joints.
• Check for soft spots or swelling near your joints.
• Test your whole life to find out if a different condition can cause your symptoms.

Imaging Exams of Arthritis

An image scan can help your healthcare provider get a clearer picture of your bones, joints, and soft tissues. X-ray, MRI or ultrasound can reveal:

• A broken bone or fracture may cause joint pain.
• Cartilage fractures around your joints.
• Injury to a muscle, ligament or tendon near your joints.
• Inflammation of the soft tissues.

Joint Fluid Test

Sometimes, combined cravings (using a needle to draw a small sample of fluid from the joint for testing) and blood tests are used to tell osteoarthritis in some forms.

If your doctor suspects infectious arthritis as a complication of another disease, examining a sample of fluid from the affected joint will usually confirm the diagnosis and determine how it will be treated.

Blood Test

These tests can help tell your doctor what kind of arthritis you have or rule out other illnesses as the cause of your symptoms.

Blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis include one of the antibodies called rheumatoid factor (RF), which most people with rheumatoid arthritis do not have in their blood, although RF may be present in other diseases.

New rheumatoid arthritis tests that measure blood levels in the blood (so-called anti-CCP tests) are very clear and often only high in people with orthopedic or rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of antibodies against CCP can also be used to predict which people will get the worst arthritis.