Overview
Arthritis means inflammation or disease of one or more joints. It can affect the hands, knees, hips, feet, spine, and many other joints. Different types of arthritis have different causes, so symptoms and treatment plans can vary.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and reduced range of motion. Some people notice symptoms more in the morning, while others feel worse after activity. Depending on the type of arthritis, fatigue, fever, skin changes, or eye symptoms can also happen.
Causes and Risk Factors
Arthritis can happen for many reasons, including joint wear over time, immune system problems, infection, or crystal buildup such as gout. Risk factors may include older age, family history, previous joint injury, excess body weight, smoking, and certain infections or autoimmune conditions. Risk factors differ by type, so a medical assessment is important.
Who Is Affected
Arthritis can affect people of all ages, including children, although some types are more common in older adults. Women are more often affected by some forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, while gout is more common in men in many populations. People with physically demanding work or past joint injuries may also have higher risk for some types.
Prevention
Not all arthritis can be prevented, especially types linked to the immune system or family history. However, protecting joints from injury, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking may lower risk or slow worsening for some forms. Managing other health conditions can also help support joint health.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional usually diagnoses arthritis by asking about symptoms, examining the joints, and reviewing medical history. Blood tests, joint fluid tests, X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI may be used depending on the suspected type. Identifying the specific kind of arthritis matters because treatment options differ.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the type of arthritis and how severe it is. Care may include exercise therapy, physical or occupational therapy, supportive devices, and medicines recommended by a clinician to reduce pain or control inflammation. Some people may need procedures or surgery if joint damage becomes severe.
Living With It
Many people with arthritis benefit from balancing movement and rest, planning activities, and using joint-protection techniques. Flare-ups can happen, so it can help to track symptoms and what seems to trigger them. Emotional wellbeing matters too, because long-term pain and limits on daily activities can affect mood and sleep.
Diet and Lifestyle
Regular low-impact activity such as walking, swimming, cycling, or guided strengthening can help many people maintain joint function. Eating patterns that support overall health and weight management may reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. If you think a food is making symptoms worse, discuss it with a qualified health professional rather than making major restrictions on your own.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if joint pain, swelling, or stiffness lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or makes daily tasks hard. You should also get checked if symptoms involve several joints, morning stiffness lasting a long time, unexplained fatigue, fever, rash, or eye symptoms. Early evaluation is especially important if a child has swollen or painful joints.
When It May Be an Emergency
Urgent or emergency care may be needed if a joint becomes suddenly very painful, red, hot, and swollen, especially with fever or if you cannot move it. This can happen with joint infection, severe inflammation, or injury and should not be ignored. Get emergency help as well after major trauma or if symptoms come with chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe weakness.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask what type of arthritis is suspected, what tests are needed, and what changes in symptoms should prompt urgent care. It can also help to ask which activities are helpful or harmful, whether physical therapy may help, and how to protect your joints during work and daily tasks. If medicines are recommended, ask about expected benefits, side effects, and follow-up.