Arthritis – What it is, Signs, Diagnosis and Locations of Pain

Considered an autoimmune disease, Arthritis  occurs because the immune system starts to attack itself, inflaming the joints and even compromising the health of other regions of the body.

Understand everything about this disease that affects the joints and compromises the quality of life. Although it can affect various organs of the human body, Rheumatoid Arthritis  – or simply Arthritis  – is well remembered when it comes to joints. So, check out more about Arthritis – What it is, Signs, Diagnosis and Pain Locations:

Arthritis What is it:  In a simple way, Arthritis is considered a generic designation of several diseases that can cause pain and inflammation in the joints. In this way, when a person frequently complains of pain and swelling in the parts of the body that correspond to the joints – especially in the hands and feet – it is possible that the diagnosis is Arthritis .

Although it does not have a specific cause, this inflammatory disease can be detected from the symptoms presented, which range from low-grade fever and tiredness to weight loss and joint inflammation, such as the knee, elbow and ankle.

One of the major problems related to Arthritis  is that it can incapacitate the patient, precisely because it leads to the destruction of the joints, which causes deformities and limitations for work and other daily activities, even the simplest and most common.

However, there is no need to despair, since adequate and early treatment can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of those who have the disease, ensuring more well-being.

Causes of Arthritis:  Although it does not make a distinction when it develops, as it affects any age group and people of both sexes, Arthritis  is more common in women who are, on average, 50 years old.

To get an idea, according to information from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR), 75% of patients are female, and the incidence is higher, above 40 years of age.

In addition, individuals who have some degree of kinship with patients who have this disease are more likely to be diagnosed with the problem, indicating that one of the causes for its emergence is genetics itself.

There are some diseases that can contribute, such as the emergence of rheumatoid arthritis  , such as gout , in which small crystals form in the joints (this problem usually affects the foot region); lupus , another autoimmune disease, in which the immune system can damage joints, the heart, and other organs; and viral hepatitis, in which a liver infection can lead to arthritis .

Signs of Arthritis:  The onset of Arthritis  may be characterized by only one or a few swollen, hot and painful joints, usually accompanied by stiffness of movement. The main symptom is pain and decreased joint function, that is, joint mobility.

However, it is also essential to be aware of other signs that may indicate Arthritis , such as: tiredness, weight loss, anemia and low-grade fever  . Over time, if the treatment is done incorrectly, it is possible that several consequences will be noticed in the body.

Thus, Arthritis can cause changes in the most diverse structures of the joints, such as bones, cartilage, joint capsules, tendons, ligaments and muscles that are responsible for joint movement, in addition to complications in other organs and areas of the body.

However, it is impossible to accurately predict the evolution of Arthritis , as it varies from case to case, presenting different patterns. In this way, some people may suffer from problems such as deviation of the fingers away from the thumb and deformity in the wrists, while other patients suffer from different symptoms.

How to Diagnose:  For the doctor to be able to determine an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to have an analysis of the patient’s clinical history, in addition to physical examinations. According to the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, some complementary tests, such as blood or imaging, may be useful, including tests that measure inflammatory activity, rheumatoid factor, radiographs of the affected joints and, eventually, ultrasound or resonance of the joints, in in case of doubts.

From the results obtained, the professional detects the condition that the person presents, but, generally, the identification of Arthritis  is characterized when the criteria below occur with a frequency of six weeks: joint stiffness first thing in the morning, lasting around 1 hour ; at least one hand or wrist joint affected by swelling; presence of rheumatoid nodules around the joint; radiographic changes, such as localized decalcifications in the affected joints.

Pain Locations:  Learn how to identify the points on the body most affected by the effects of Arthritis .

• ankles;
• Fists;
• Hands;
• elbows;
• knees;
• Feet;
• hips.

According to the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR), Arthritis  affects about 1% of Brazilians, and anyone, from children to the elderly, can develop the disease. The risk of mortality increases up to two-fold in patients with arthritis . In addition, there may be a loss of frame within 10 years of life if the disease is not treated.