Know The Main Types Of Arthritis Chronic Diseases in Belleville

There are over 100 types of arthritis; people of all ages can develop the condition.

Pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. These are some of the typical symptoms of arthritis, an informal term for a group of more than 100 diseases, which have one characteristic in common: inflammation of one or more joints in the body.

Although it is a condition that tends to affect people as they age, arthritis in Belleville can appear at any stage of life, and is considered one of the main causes of disability in Brazil and worldwide.

Here are the most common types of arthritis:

Degenerative arthritis

It happens when the cartilage in the joints wears away, causing friction within the bones, which provokes discomfort, swelling and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative arthritis type. Risk factors include being overweight, family history, older age, and previous injury (an anterior cruciate ligament, for example).

It is possible to prevent this condition with regular physical exercise, maintaining adequate weight, and avoiding repetitive movements.

Inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body itself, causing inflammation and leading to wear and tear on the joints. It can also affect internal organs, eyes and other body structures.

Among the prime examples of this type of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriatic arthritis. The exact causes of these conditions are not yet known, but it is believed that a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors (solar irradiation, viral infections or by other microorganisms) are involved.

Early diagnosis is essential to stop the progression of inflammatory arthritis and minimize or even prevent permanent damage to the joints.

Infectious arthritis

Bacteria, viruses or fungi can come into contact with the joints and trigger inflammation. Examples of microorganisms that can infect joints: salmonella (through eating contaminated food), chlamydia and gonorrhoea (through unprotected sex) and hepatitis C (can be contracted through the bloodstream, usually with needles or shared transfusions). In many cases, antibiotic treatment can clear the joint infection, but sometimes it becomes chronic.

Metabolic arthritis

Uric acid is a substance naturally produced by the body from the metabolization of purines, substances present in cells and in various foods. In some people, uric acid levels can rise and form crystals that settle in various places in the body, particularly in the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling.

This condition is known as gout and affects mainly obese, sedentary men and regular alcoholic beverage consumers, aged between 40 and 50 years.

Arthritis Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis of arthritis is essential to prevent the progression of the disease and prevent joint degeneration and other complications, which vary according to each type of arthritis.

The Belleville doctor specializing in these diseases is the rheumatologist, who will perform a clinical analysis and order blood and imaging tests, such as x-rays and tomography, which are useful to identify joints and other affected tissues.

Each type of arthritis has a specific therapeutic approach. Some treatments may include the management of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid analgesics and immunosuppressants, as well as physical therapy and occupational therapy recommendations.