Arthritis, a joint disorder, results in inflammation, pain, stiffness and tenderness of the joints of various organs such as fingers, hands, shoulders, hips, knees, feet and back. There are several causes of arthritis depending upon the types such as inflammatory, non-inflammatory and infectious arthritis. Some of common causes of arthritis are heredity, aging, over exertion of joints, injury, infection and tumor necrosis factor. There are certain factors found to be related to the higher risk of arthritis. These risk factors for arthritis are likely to develop this disease.
By knowing the risk factors of arthritis, one can get an opportunity to reduce the chances of developing this disease and live a pain-free life. Some modifiable risk factors are obesity, infection, joint injuries and occupation. Excess weight contributes to onset and progression of arthritis, specifically knee osteoarthritis. You can control the weight and obesity by balance diet and exercise which may help to reduce the symptoms. Joint injuries and infections such as bacterial, fungal and viral can cause development of arthritis. They can be controlled by using proper treatment options. Some occupations that involve repetitive knee squatting and bending are related to knee osteoarthritis.
There are some non-modifiable risk factors for arthritis such as age, genetic and gender. The risk of developing different types of arthritis increases with aging. Most types of arthritis are frequently seen in women. However, gout is more common in males than in females. Certain genes are related to higher risk of some types of arthritis including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Along with medications like analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, you can control the symptoms of arthritis with the help of some self-care measures. Exercise helps to keep the joints flexible and muscles strong. Adequate intake of nutritional supplements such as dehydroepiandrosterone for lupus, S-adenosylmethionine, chondriotin and glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis is supposed to be beneficial. Arthritis can be managed with the help of herbal remedies, special diets and radiation.
