All About Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the swelling, inflammation, and breakdown of one or more joints in the body. There are many types of arthritis and each may have their own set of symptoms. Anyone at any age is capable of developing arthritis, but it is typically more common in older adults. Arthritis is also the leading cause of disability among Americans in the United States.
Causes of Arthritis
The cause of arthritis is dependent on the type of arthritis you are experiencing, but also not all arthritis have an exact cause. You may develop arthritis if you have a family history of arthritis, repeated stress on your joints from a sport or job, and if you have certain autoimmune conditions or viral infections.
Types of Arthritis
There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common are:
- Osteoarthritis – (wear and tear arthritis) The most common type of arthritis, and occurs when stress is repeatedly put on the joint and cartilage starts to break down.
- Juvenile Arthritis – Typically affects people ages 16 and younger. It occurs when the body’s immune system starts attacking the tissue around the joint.
- Gout – A disease that happens when hard urate crystals start to accumulate in the joint.
- Psoriatic Arthritis – Inflammation of the joint, and occurs in people who have had psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis which is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin irritation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – A condition when the immune system attacks the synovial fluid in the joints.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis – Arthritis that causes chronic spine inflammation or lower back pain. It inflames the sacroiliac joints located between the base of the spine and pelvis. The inflammation can often spread to joints between the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal column.
Symptoms
The symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type of arthritis you have, but many of the common symptoms include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Warmth
- Decreased range of motion
Effective Treatment
Arthritis can truly decrease the quality of your life and there is not a cure. Fortunately, arthritis can be treated through therapies offered at Midwest Pain Solutions. We specialize in high-intensity laser therapy, which stimulates healing in areas of deep pain and damage. Our laser therapy relieves pain, improves blood flow, reduces swelling, repairs cell growth and scar tissue, and boosts nerve function.
Your Next Steps
Call (920) 569-2350 to schedule a no-cost consultation with Dr. Jackson Draeger to learn more about how we may help you find pain relief and greater well-being.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12061-arthritis
