Arthritis is considered one of the most common diseases in the world, accounting for about 80% of joint diseases.Both men and women are affected equally.It occurs mainly in adulthood.Typically, the likelihood of developing this disease increases from age 30.
With arthritis, cartilage changes in the joints occur, as a result of which the tissue structure is disrupted and the inflammatory process begins.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disease that occurs due to metabolic disorders in the body.Joints become less elastic.People most susceptible to arthritis are overweight people, retirees and athletes.
The disease can occur based on any injury or damage.In addition, the cause of joint disease can be due to genetic or hereditary characteristics.
Degree of arthritis
There are three stages of joint disease:
- With the first, there are practically no symptoms.Patients sometimes only feel discomfort when moving.However, pathological deformities in the joints have occurred.
- In the second stage, joints begin to break.The pain becomes sharp but bearable.There is also a crunching feeling in the joints.
- In the final stage, the damage occurs deeper.Joints are severely deformed, tissues and ligaments are damaged, making the patient unable to move as normal.
Symptoms can periodically worsen, so it is quite difficult to independently determine the stage of arthritis and treat it.Therefore, at the first manifestations, it is best to consult a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptom that helps identify the disease is joint pain when moving.When resting, the pain gradually decreases.Symptoms are localized to damaged areas.A characteristic sign of arthritis is a cracking sound in the affected joint.
In the early stages, people only feel pain when bearing heavy load or pressure on the affected area.Over time, it intensifies, the patient increasingly has to move less and rest more.
As you know, joints can crack even when in a normal healthy state.However, the arthritic sound is very characteristic: unlike the natural sound, it is “dry”.As time goes on, the joints crackle more and more.
During the development of arthritis, the motor activity of the damaged joints decreases.When the disease reaches a dangerous stage, the joints begin to become irreversibly deformed.
Treatment and prevention
It is best to carry out treatment in the early stages.The main goal of therapy is to eliminate the cause and eliminate the inflammatory process.Treatment should include a series of measures aimed at restoring the joint.
Among them:
- drug treatment reduces inflammation and pain;
- perform physical therapy procedures to relieve joint pain;
- Spa treatment with mud bath and mineral water;
- perform physical therapy.
During the treatment of damaged joints, excessive physical activity and fatigue are not allowed.Joints should be at rest most of the time.It is also necessary to pay attention to nutrition and adhere to a certain diet.
To prevent joint disease, you must adhere to simple preventive measures:
- Avoid overexertion and intense physical activity;
- eat properly (the diet must contain all the necessary vitamins and trace elements);
- Avoid eating too much.
Arthritis is a chronic disease that can have many serious consequences, so it needs to be treated in the early stages.Following preventative measures will help prevent illness.