Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis quite literally means joint inflammation. Rather than being a single condition the term Arthritis, in fact, refers to around 200 different conditions that affect the joints. The most common of the conditions is osteoarthritis. The symptoms of Arthritis can develop suddenly or gradually with time. Generally, arthritis is more common in people over the age of 65.
Types of Arthritis
There are many less common types of arthritis such as gout, psoriatic arthritis, and septic arthritis but, the two main types of arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis; Osteoarthritis involves wear and tear of the joint’s cartilage. The damage can cause pain as well as a restrict movement. Osteoarthritis affects the joints and also causes inflammation of the joint lining.
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune disorder caused by the improper function of the immune system. It not only affects the joints but can also damage different systems such as eyes, ears, lungs, skin, and blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis causes painful swelling as it affects the lining of joints..
Causes Of Arthritis
There is not any single cause of arthritis. The causes of arthritis vary depending upon the type of arthritis you have. Some of the possible causes include an abnormal metabolism, injury, genetics, infections, and dysfunction of the immune system.
Symptoms of Arthritis
There are many different symptoms of arthritis, depending upon the type of arthritis. The most common symptoms are:
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Fatigue
• Redness or swelling in joints
• Joint deformity
• Decreased range of motion
• Tingling or numbness
• Fever
Chiropractic Care for Arthritis
Chiropractors can correct the misaligned spine and joints with chiropractic adjustments. As a result, the joints are free and loose, reducing the pain and swelling. A properly aligned body allows the joints to move freely without restriction. Therefore, regular chiropractic care is helpful in preventing the onset of arthritis. Similarly, a healthy lifestyle, diet, proper exercising, and a healthy immune system are essential in limiting the effects of arthritis.