Arthritis is a group of conditions causing joint damage and pain, with various causes including autoimmune reactions, infections, trauma, and genetics. Types include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Arthritis is the name for a fairly large group of conditions involving joint damage and pain, and since there are many types, there are many different causes as well. The condition can also appear as a secondary symptom of a variety of diseases, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hemochromatosis, hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with relapsing fever (HIDS), inflammatory bowel disease, lupus erythematosus, Lyme disease, and vasculitis. It can also appear as an autoimmune reaction to an infection elsewhere in the body.
Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is usually caused by trauma, although there is some evidence of a genetic factor. It is the most common type and leading cause of chronic disability in the United States. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by a joint infection, and your risk of developing this condition increases with age.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to joints along with anemia. The causes of this form are not known, although it is significantly more common in women, cigarette smokers, and Native Americans. It is also linked to the inherited tissue-type major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen HLA-DR4.
Septic arthritis is caused by infection of the joint. It is typically caused by bacteria, but can also be the result of a viral, fungal, or mycobacterial infection. Common bacteria that cause it include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoea, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella and Brucella.
Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints. It can be a primary syndrome or secondary to conditions such as diabetes, hemolytic anemia, hypertension, leukemia, metabolic syndrome, and renal disorders. Primary gout can be caused by a diet high in protein, fat, and alcohol or by chronic lead poisoning.
The cause of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common and persistent form in children, is unknown. There is evidence of both environmental and genetic factors, however. JIA affects both genders and onset can occur anywhere from preschool to early adolescence. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), another form of the condition that can appear in a patient’s childhood, is a genetic disease. It most commonly develops between the ages of 18 and 30.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
