Causes of Arthritis and Risk factors

  • Arthritis
    Arthritis is often seen as a disease that affects the elderly but it can affect people of all ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. And more people in their late 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed with the condition 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 6 July 2015

What causes arthritis
Although the exact causes are unknown, it is believed to include the following:

  • Genetics
  • Injury
  • Infection
  • Lifestyle related factors, primarily, smoking, diet, use of oral contraceptives and excessive coffee intake
  • Obesity 
  • Environmental factors, like stress
  • Autoimmune conditions (your body's own immune system attacking the joints, causing inflammation - warmth, swelling, tenderness - within the joints)

Are you at risk

Are you:

  • 65 or above in age: The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
  • Younger people are increasingly suffering from osteoarthritis. (See article above)
  • Have a family history of arthritis: Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
  • A woman: Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis due to many hormonal changes.
  • Have had a previous joint injury: People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
  • Obese: Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Community
Muscle, Bone and Joint (earlier named Arthritis)
Condition
Arthritis
Changed
Wed, 07/05/2017 - 19:43

Stories

  • Is Knee or Hip replacement right for you ?
    How many times has someone close to us been told to replace a knee or replace a hip ? But is it always the right option ? Understand and evaluate your options carefully as explained here :  http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/08/is-a-hip-or-knee-replacement-right-for-you/
  • Exercising with Arthritis? Is it possible?
    A great article on why exercising is important to prevent complications from inactivity in Arthritic patients and what exercises are suitable. https://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Exercise_and_Arthritis/
  • Men get Arthritis, too
    Living with RA is living with pain but “Don’t let the disease define you”. RA causes pain in his hands, but he plays the piano every day to keep his fingers moving and his brain active. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/men-get-arthritis-too/?xid=tw_everydayhealth_sf
  • Apples and tart cherries help fight inflammation
    Helps fight not just arthritis but Alzheimer's as well. Eat fresh fruit rather than drink juice http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/eating-well/healthy-foods/benefits-of-fruit.php
  • Walk in water to ease arthritis pain
    It is commonly accepted that aquatic exercise is helpful to those living with arthritis. This new study, incorporating high intensity, interval aquatic training, demonstrates that even better outcomes can be attained for arthritis patients around the world. Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2105335#ixzz39mEIlREs
  • Smoking Worsens Psoriatic Arthritis
    "Patients with psoriatic arthritis who smoke have worse patient-reported disease features at baseline and don't respond as well as nonsmokers to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment, a Danish study found." Patients who had stopped smoking more than 4 years before beginning treatment showed very similar rates of adherence to treatment as did those who had never smoked. So its never too late to quit smoking. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Dermatology/Psoriasis/46969
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    Yoga Arthritis - Movements of the Hands
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    Yoga Arthritis - Marjari Asana (Cat Pose)
    Meaning Marjari means Cat and Asana means Pose. Benefits of Marjari Asana 1. Improves flexibility of the spinal cord 2. Strengthens the whole spine, upper back, shoulders and neck 3. Releases tension from the lumbar region (lower back), cervical region (upper back and neck) 4. Tones the female reproductive system 5. Releases tension and pain Contraindications People with severe knee pain, vertigo and spondylosis should avoid this asana. The Posture 1. Get on your knees, keeping hip-wide…
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    Yoga Arthritis - Greeva Sanchalana (Neck Movement)
    Meaning Greeva is neck and Sanchalana means movement Benefits of Greeva Sanchalana 1. Strengthens the muscles of the neck and the shoulders 2. Releases tension, heaviness and stiffness in the head, neck and shoulder region especially after lengthy desk-work 3. Stimulates and provides relief to nerves of different organs (especially all sensory organs) that pass through the neck. 4. When the movement is performed slowly and rhythmically with slow and deep breathing, it calms the mind and is…
  • Juvenile Arthritis: New Discoveries Lead to New Treatments
    Nikolay Nikolov, a rheumatologist and clinical team leader at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), says that children with juvenile arthritis and their parents have reason to be optimistic. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm403578.htm