Geriatrics addresses the health needs of older adults, focusing on frailty, dementia, falls, and chronic disease management.
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Arthritis Symptoms are centered on pain, stiffness, and inflammation within the joints. Because there are over 100 types of arthritis, the way symptoms begin and progress varies widely. Recognizing the early signs is vital, as early treatment is key to preserving joint function and preventing permanent damage.
The risk factors for arthritis are categorized into those you can control, such as weight and injury, and those you cannot, such as genetics and age. Understanding these risks allows for targeted prevention efforts and specialized screening for high-risk individuals.
The most important step in early diagnosis is recognizing the common warning signs of Arthritis. These signs suggest inflammation is active and damaging the joint. If these symptoms last for more than a few weeks, a medical evaluation is needed.
The specific type of arthritis determines how the disease affects the body. Arthritis joint Conditions can be systemic (affecting the entire body) or localized (affecting only the joints).
Osteoarthritis is the “wear-and-tear” type. Symptoms are mechanical, meaning they often worsen with activity and improve with rest.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms are systemic and symmetrical, often affecting the same joints on both sides of the body (e.g., both wrists).
Symmetry: Affecting the same joints on both sides of the body (e.g., both hands).
Certain symptoms require immediate emergency medical care. These usually signal a severe infection in the joint (septic arthritis) or a dangerous inflammatory flare-up.
These are factors that cannot be changed but identify who is at high risk of Arthritis for early and proactive specialist management.
These are factors related to lifestyle and environment that can be actively changed or managed to reduce the risk of developing or worsening arthritis. Taking control of these areas is the most effective form of prevention.
What lifestyle factors increase Arthritis risk? Chronic smoking, carrying excess body weight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and engaging in high-impact activities without proper joint support are the key modifiable risks. Reducing these factors helps protect cartilage.
Diagnosis of arthritis requires a combination of physical examination, imaging, and blood tests. This integrated approach is necessary to distinguish between the many different types of joint disease.
The total risk assessment summary combines your family history (non-modifiable) with your lifestyle profile (modifiable). This comprehensive view allows the specialist to recommend a personalized preventative plan.
For example, a patient with a strong family history of RA but who smokes is at extremely high risk. The immediate priority is smoking cessation, which is a key intervention to reduce the severity of the potential disease.
Can Arthritis symptoms differ between men and women? Yes, both incidence and symptom presentation can differ.
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Warning signs include joint pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness, especially if the stiffness lasts longer than one hour in the morning.
High-risk individuals include those over age 65, women (for RA), people with specific family genetics, and those who are overweight or have had prior joint injuries.
Yes, inflammatory arthritis (RA) is much more prevalent in women and often presents with more systemic symptoms like severe fatigue.
Lifestyle factors that increase risk include carrying excess body weight, smoking tobacco, and highly repetitive activities that stress specific joints.
Yes, many types, particularly the inflammatory and autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis, have a strong genetic component.
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