Arthritis / বাতের ব্যথা

Arthritis is a broad term that refers to a group of conditions that affect the joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling. Joints are the parts of the body where two bones meet, such as the knees, hips, shoulders, and fingers. Arthritis can affect a single joint or multiple joints, and it can vary in severity, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that limits movement. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most common.

Types of Arthritis

1. Osteoarthritis (OA)

⦁ Most common type of arthritis: OA is often referred to as degenerative arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones deteriorates over time, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joint.

⦁ Risk factors: Aging, joint injury, obesity, genetics, and overuse of joints are major contributors to OA.

⦁ Common joints affected: Knees, hips, spine, hands, and fingers.

⦁ Symptoms: Joint pain that worsens with activity, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and swelling.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

⦁ Autoimmune disease: RA is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the synovium (the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints), causing inflammation, pain, and eventual joint damage.

⦁ Symmetry: RA often affects joints on both sides of the body symmetrically, such as the wrists, knees, elbows, and fingers.

⦁ Risk factors: Genetic predisposition, smoking, and infections may trigger or increase the risk.

⦁ Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling, fatigue, and fever. Over time, joint deformities and loss of function can occur.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis

⦁ A type of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis (a skin condition). It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, along with skin rashes that appear as scaly patches.

⦁ Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, and skin lesions. It can also cause finger or toe swelling (dactylitis) and changes in the nails.

4. Gout

⦁ Caused by uric acid buildup: Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, typically in the big toe. Uric acid is a waste product that the body produces when breaking down purines, which are found in certain foods and drinks.

⦁ Symptoms: Sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in the affected joint. Gout attacks often occur at night.

⦁ Risk factors: High-purine diet (e.g., red meat, shellfish), alcohol consumption, obesity, kidney disease, and certain medications.

5. Ankylosing Spondylitis

⦁ A type of arthritis that affects the spine, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness, particularly in the lower back. Over time, the affected joints may fuse, leading to reduced flexibility.

⦁ Symptoms: Chronic lower back pain, stiffness, and discomfort, especially after periods of rest or sleep. In severe cases, it can lead to a forward-stooping posture.

6. Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

⦁ An autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs in the body, including the joints. Lupus can cause widespread inflammation, including joint pain and swelling, skin rashes, and organ involvement (e.g., kidneys, heart, lungs).

⦁ Symptoms: Joint pain and swelling, skin rashes (particularly a butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks), fatigue, and fever.

7. Juvenile Arthritis (JA)

⦁ A term used to describe arthritis in children under the age of 16. It is an umbrella term for several types of arthritis that affect children, most commonly oligoarticular and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

⦁ Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. It can affect growth and development if not treated early.

General Symptoms of Arthritis

⦁ Joint pain: Pain can be mild to severe and may be constant or occur in episodes.

⦁ Stiffness: Joints can feel stiff, especially after periods of inactivity (e.g., in the morning after waking up).

⦁ Swelling: Joints may become visibly swollen due to inflammation, which can restrict movement.

⦁ Redness and warmth: Inflamed joints may appear red and feel warm to the touch.

⦁ Reduced range of motion: As arthritis progresses, it may become harder to move the affected joints through their full range.

⦁ Fatigue: Chronic inflammation can lead to fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell, especially in autoimmune types like RA or lupus.

Causes and Risk Factors of Arthritis

The exact cause of arthritis depends on the type, but common contributing factors include:

⦁ Genetics: A family history of arthritis increases the risk of developing the condition, particularly for autoimmune types like RA and lupus.

⦁ Age: The risk of developing arthritis increases with age, especially osteoarthritis, which is more common in older adults.

⦁ Injury: Previous joint injuries or surgeries may increase the risk of developing arthritis in the affected joint later in life.

⦁ Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints (such as the knees and hips), contributing to the development or worsening of osteoarthritis.

⦁ Gender: Some forms of arthritis are more common in one gender. For example, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia are more common in women, while gout is more common in men.

⦁ Infections: Some types of arthritis, such as reactive arthritis, can be triggered by infections in the body.

⦁ Immune system dysfunction: Autoimmune types of arthritis (e.g., RA, lupus, psoriatic arthritis) occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissues.

⦁ Environmental triggers: Certain environmental factors, such as smoking, infections, or exposure to certain chemicals, can trigger autoimmune forms of arthritis.