With age, many of us tend to feel pain in the joints. Swelling of the knees, a feeling of stiffness in the knees, pain in the knee joints while walking, swellings of the knuckles are visible with age. Some of us experience these symptoms right in our 30s. Many get perplexed at the onset of such symptoms. But, clarity on the causative agents and remedial measures can help you combat the problem with ease.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the affliction of the joints present in the human body and is often associated with pain and inflammation. Such a pain in the joint is referred to as arthralgia.

Types of Arthritis

There are innumerous types of Arthritis. However the major and the most popular types constitute osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, juvenile variant, Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis, Scleroderma and Lupus

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis which arises due to the wear and tear of the joints within the body. Overuse of joints, injuries and obesity are the common cause of osteoarthritis. This type of joint disorder in the knees has been known to be hereditary too.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease wherein a form of protein is seen as a foreign particle by the immune system. As a result, the lymphocytes, which are a part of the immune system, start releasing cytokines, predominantly interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which responds by inducing pain, swelling and degeneration.

Juvenile variant of the joint disorder is the joint disorder visible in children. Depending on the number of joints that get affected, this can further be sub categorized into pauciarticular, systemic and polyarticular afflictions.

Gout predominantly affects the male population. It is often seen in the small bones of the body namely the big toe. This is due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals within the joints.

Psoriatic arthritis affects the skin and the joints of the human body. Signs include appearance of patchy bumps, red and white rashes on skin in knees, elbows, scalp, navel and the areas surrounding the genitals.

Ankylosing spondylitis is the joint disorder that is visible in the spine of the human body. Lupus is the disorder where the connective tissues of the body and the bone are inflamed and damaged to enormous extents. Fibromyaglia is the arthritis commonly seen in women and is reported to affect the muscles and the bone fastenings. Scleroderma affects the connective tissues all over the body resulting in thickened and hardened skin.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is associated with pain in the joints of the knee, feet, spine and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with fatigue, tiredness, arthritis pain and swelling of the joints. Symmetrical pattern of inflammation and pain are common with this type of arthritis.

Other generic symptoms include stiffness, warmth, tenderness stiffness, pain, inflammation and swelling around the joints. Skin rash is common in case of Psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment Methodologies

The viable treatment methodologies constitute medications, exercising, dieting, maintenance of proper body weight and resorting to joint relaxation techniques.