Understanding Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common condition affecting millions of people in the UK. Here we look at the two most common forms and what you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition.

It’s estimated that over 10 million people in Britain suffer with some form of arthritis. While the condition can take various forms, the two most well-known are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both can be painful and debilitating and have the potential to seriously impact a person’s quality of life.

What is osteoarthritis

This is the most common form of arthritis. It can affect any joint in your body, but the hips, knees, spine and hands are most commonly affected. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears away, making your joints become painful and harder to move. Bony spurs can also form around affected joints causing stiffness and discomfort.

As well as stiffness and pain, symptoms can include:

• Cracking or popping of the joints
• A reduction in your range of movement
• A grating sensation when moving

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder. It occurs when your immune system goes into overdrive and attacks healthy tissue causing inflammation and pain in the joints The hands and feet are often where people first notice rheumatoid arthritis developing, but it can affect any part of the body.

In addition to pain, common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Stiffness after sitting or sleeping
• Swelling, redness and heat around a joint
• Fatigue
• Feverishness
• Loss of appetite

How can I reduce my risk of getting arthritis?

Although there can be a genetic component that means some people may be at a higher risk of developing a form of arthritis, there are some things you can do to lower the chances.

Eat a healthy diet:  avoiding highly processed foods and eating a varied Mediterranean style diet high in oily fish, good fats and plenty of fruits and vegetables is considered to be helpful. Unhealthy fats and high sugar foods can increase inflammation in the body, so are best kept to a minimum.

Get active: keeping active helps your joints stay healthy and flexible. Fortunately, you don’t have to pound the treadmill or take up anything too extreme for it to have an effect. Simple exercises like walking, swimming and yoga are great options for improving joint and overall health. They’re also not as hard on the joints as some other activities, so are good choices if you’re worried about putting too much pressure on your joints.

In doing the above, you’ll probably also be able to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. This is particularly important as an excess weight puts extra pressure on the joints and can contribute to elevated inflammation within the body.

Coping with arthritis

If you’re already experiencing problems with your joints, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor for expert advice.

To find out more about arthritis in general, check out these useful websites:

Versus Arthritis

Arthritis Action