arthritis Arthritis refers to a joint disease characterized by inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in one or more joints, often involving inflammatory invasion, cartilage or bone degeneration within the joint cavity. In simple terms, "arthritis" is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are over 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis.

Arthritis refers to a group of joint diseases characterized by swelling and tenderness, involving inflammatory invasion, cartilage or bone degeneration within one or more joints in the body. In layman's terms, "arthritis" is not a single disease; it is an informal term for joint pain or joint disease. There are over 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis. Arthritis can cause permanent changes in the joints. These changes can be detected through imaging tests. Certain types of arthritis can also affect the heart, kidneys, and skin.

According to the etiology, arthritis can be mainly classified into the following categories:

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis, characterized by damage to joint cartilage and involvement of the entire joint, leading to joint symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Characterized by erosive arthritis, with various autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies positive in the serum.

Infectious Arthritis

Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can invade the joints and cause inflammation. Common types of infectious arthritis include bacterial arthritis, tuberculosis arthritis, Lyme arthritis, viral arthritis, and fungal arthritis. In many cases, timely treatment can clear the joint infection.

Metabolic Arthritis

Commonly known as gouty arthritis. Uric acid is formed in the body when purines are broken down. When the uric acid level in the body is high and cannot be excreted in a timely manner, uric acid accumulates in the joints and forms crystals, leading to gouty arthritis and the formation of tophi.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

It is the most common form of childhood arthritis or juvenile arthritis, also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Childhood arthritis can cause permanent physical damage to the joints and may lead to disabilities.

Etiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The onset is the result of the combined influence of congenital genetic factors and acquired environmental factors, leading to immune system dysfunction. Patients produce autoantibodies in their bodies, such as rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, and subsequently produce proinflammatory cytokines, leading to the occurrence of inflammatory arthritis.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

The exact cause is still unclear, and it may be related to multiple factors, including age, gender, genetics, obesity, joint injuries, overuse of joints, osteoporosis, etc.

Causes of Infectious Arthritis

Pathogens that infect the body spread to the joint synovium through the bloodstream, leading to joint inflammation. Common types include bacterial arthritis (gonococcal, non-gonococcal, meningococcal, salmonella), tuberculosis arthritis, viral arthritis, and fungal arthritis.

Causes of Gouty Arthritis

The cause and pathogenesis of gout are unclear, and hyperuricemia is an important biochemical basis and a basic characteristic of the disease. With high blood uric acid concentration, uric acid precipitates and deposits in the joints, leading to gouty arthritis.

Causes of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The exact cause is still unclear, but it may be due to the immune system not functioning properly in the joints and other systems in children.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative symptoms appear in the joints, including joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joint pain, tenderness, and swelling, characterized by joint symptoms lasting for 6 weeks or longer. Morning stiffness for at least 30 minutes. More than one joint is affected, particularly small joints in the fingers, wrists, and ankles are susceptible, and symmetrical attacks are common on both sides of the body.

Infectious Arthritis

Due to its association with infection, patients experience chills, fever, joint pain, and other inflammatory symptoms, as well as general weakness.

Gouty Arthritis

Gout attacks suddenly, with joint pain, redness, and joint fever. It usually occurs in one joint at a time, often affecting joints other than the big toe, including the joints of the toes, ankles, and knees. Gout attacks may occur periodically, lasting for days or weeks. There is a long period of remission before the next attack.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

In addition to systemic symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and rashes on the limbs, joint stiffness, swelling, and even limping are more characteristic symptoms in affected children.

Many types of arthritis involve chronic inflammatory or degenerative changes and require long-term treatment. However, acute treatments are needed for acute gouty arthritis and acute purulent arthritis in infectious arthritis.

During acute gouty arthritis attacks, when joint pain and swelling are severe, physicians will first consider alleviating the patient's symptoms. Within 24 hours of an attack, targeted use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and glucocorticoids can alleviate 50% of the patient's pain symptoms. For patients with gastrointestinal diseases, selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors can be used to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Acute purulent arthritis requires timely surgical drainage and anti-infective treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment mainly helps to alleviate joint pain, functional limitations, and joint stiffness. Methods for relieving symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine include massage, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), acupuncture, and heat therapy. Treatment should be sought at a reputable traditional Chinese medicine clinic to avoid potential damage to the joints from improper use or unexpected infections.

Weight loss can reduce the pressure on weight-bearing joints, increase joint mobility, and prevent joint injuries.

Using assistive devices such as canes, shoe inserts, and walkers can protect the joints and improve daily activity.

Hot and cold compresses: When joint pain is severe, cold compresses can alleviate symptoms, while hot compresses can prevent the onset of joint pain when there are no prominent symptoms.

Maintain a reasonable daily routine, eat a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight and waistline.

Keep the joints warm and avoid chilling.

Gout patients should avoid alcohol, large amounts of meat, seafood, and animal offal; reduce fructose intake; ensure adequate water intake; and consume more fresh vegetables.

Engage in moderate exercise and avoid vigorous activities.

Patients should closely cooperate with their doctors to understand the development of arthritis, which can provide information on the prognosis of arthritis treatment, alleviate concerns, and learn about drug usage and related adverse reactions.

Learning to manage arthritis pain and other symptoms can help prevent and maintain health through treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and physical rehabilitation.

Physical activity is a simple and effective non-pharmacological method to alleviate arthritis pain. For adult patients, regular physical activity can reduce pain, improve function, mood, and quality of life. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of other chronic diseases.

Protect the joints in daily life, as joint injuries can cause or exacerbate arthritis. Therefore, low-impact activities should be chosen, or protective gear should be worn to reduce the risk of injury.