The Connection Between Arthritis and Inflammation
Arthritis is often associated with joint pain and stiffness, particularly as one ages. The condition encompasses over 100 different types of joint diseases and related conditions. A common element linking many forms of arthritis is inflammation, the body’s natural response to injury or disease. Understanding this connection can provide clarity on how this condition affects the body and the approaches used for its management.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a way of referring to chronic joint pain or joint disease, with common symptoms that include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the joints. The most common forms of this disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the wear and tear of a joint’s cartilage. When this cartilage breaks down, bone can rub against bone. This is what causes the associated pain and restricted movement.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder. This means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This attack causes inflammation that can lead to joint erosion and deformity. Every form of this disease has distinct causes and affects the body in different ways, but inflammation is a frequent characteristic.
How Is It Connected to Inflammation?
Inflammation is a fundamental process in many types of arthritis. In a healthy response, inflammation helps the body fight off infections and heal injuries. In inflammatory arthritis, this response is triggered without a proper cause and becomes chronic. The immune system targets healthy joint tissues, which can lead to persistent inflammation.
This chronic inflammation is responsible for many of the symptoms associated with this condition. The joint lining becomes inflamed and swollen, which causes pain and stiffness. Over time, this persistent inflammatory state can damage the cartilage and bone within the joint.
The inflammation associated with some forms of arthritis can affect other parts of the body. People with an inflammatory type, like rheumatoid arthritis, may experience systemic symptoms. These can include fatigue and fever, and recognizing these broader symptoms is part of understanding the full impact of the condition.
How Is It Treated?
The treatment for arthritis aims to relieve symptoms and improve joint function. Medications are a common component of pain management. For osteoarthritis, pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to manage pain and reduce inflammation. For inflammatory autoimmune types like rheumatoid arthritis, doctors may prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. These medications work to suppress the overactive immune system, which aims to slow the progression of the disease and prevent permanent joint damage.
Physical therapy is another cornerstone of treatment. A physical therapist can design an exercise program that helps improve one’s range of motion and strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints. In cases where joint damage is severe and conservative treatments are no longer effective, surgery may be an option.
Seek Professional Pain Management Services
While there is no cure for most types of arthritis, a variety of effective management strategies are available to control symptoms and slow disease progression. A specialist in pain management can offer a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your symptoms. These professionals can provide access to advanced diagnostic tools and offer a wide spectrum of treatment options tailored to your specific condition.
