Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints, which tends to cause joint pain and stiffness. As people grow older, they develop arthritis, which makes it tough for them to stay active. Arthritis worsens with aging, and thus, you should cure it with the help of pain management specialists, like Dr. Hui Kang. Arthritis can be of various forms; however, the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, the cause of arthritis varies depending on the type of arthritis you develop.
Want to know the causes of different types of arthritis? Keep reading to find out.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system attacks the joint capsule lining. The synovial membrane, the lining, includes all joint parts. When your body’s immune system attacks the synovial lining, it gets inflamed and develops pain. The inflammation may eventually spread to your cartilage and joint bone.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, develops due to wear and tear to your joint cartilage. The cartilage is crucial for proper joint functioning as it protects the ends of your joint bones and prevents them from grinding. With aging, the covering tends to wear down, which causes osteoarthritis as you age. The cartilage gradually gets damaged over time. However, an infection or injury can wear it down.
Causes of Gout
Gout is a common and complicated type of arthritis. It may affect any person and is indicated by redness, swelling, tenderness in joints, and sudden severe pain attacks. Gout usually attacks your feet and toe joints. This type of arthritis develops due to urate crystals accumulating in your joint, which may trigger pain and swelling. Such crystals occur when your blood has a high level of uric acid. Our bodies tend to naturally produce uric acid that breaks down elements called purines. However, certain foods can also promote more uric acid. Urate crystals may build up when your body produces excess uric acid or your kidneys don’t excrete sufficient elements from the bloodstream.
The Bottomline
Now you know the causes of different types of arthritis that you may experience. The consistent pain of arthritis makes it tough for you to live peacefully. So, consult a pain management specialist now to get it treated quickly if you are experiencing the symptoms discussed above.
