Understanding Arthritis: Types, Causes, and Misconceptions

2023-07-01 12:04:08

Fibromyalgia, menopause, excessive joint use, etc.

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Arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane surrounding the joint becomes inflamed or the cartilage is damaged, and the symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]On rainy days, there are times when my joints throb and hurt. In some cases, it is embarrassing to visit a hospital for arthritis, but it is unexpectedly revealed as a different disease. In this regard, we introduce the types and causes of arthritis, and diseases that can be mistaken for.

What is ‘arthritis’?

Arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane surrounding the joint becomes inflamed or the cartilage is damaged, and the symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. Secondarily, when the joint becomes weak and deformed, daily life such as walking, climbing stairs, or brushing teeth becomes difficult. Also, arthritis is thought to be a disease that comes with age, but it can appear at any age. There are even more than 100 diseases that cause arthritis. In addition, other organs of the body can be invaded, so some arthritis patients suffer from diseases such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and skin in addition to joint symptoms.

▲ What kind of disease is ‘arthritis’?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The incidence increases with age and is called degenerative arthritis. In general, degenerative changes in joints start from the age of 40, and symptoms of degenerative arthritis appear in about 50% of people at the age of 60. There is also ‘rheumatoid arthritis’, which is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane surrounding the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in people in their 30s and 40s, and the ratio of women to men is about 3:1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a typical autoimmune disease and occurs when the patient’s inflammatory cells attack the joints. In addition, there are ankylosing spondylitis and gout.

▲ What disease is mistaken for ‘arthritis’?

Occasionally, people go to the hospital because they are worried about arthritis due to pain around the joints, but it is often not the actual arthritis, but other diseases.

Fibromyalgia is a disease in which the body aches and feels tired all over the place. Sometimes people with fibromyalgia think they have arthritis, but in reality fibromyalgia is not arthritis and is considered soft tissue rheumatism. ‘Rheumatism’ refers to pain and stiffness associated with arthritis or diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones. Fibromyalgia is a symptom that causes peripheral nerves to become sensitive and feels pain even with light stimulation.

It is also common for women to mistake it for arthritis when they feel sick during menopause. As women age, menopause comes. Several years before menopause, symptoms of burning face and beating of the heart appear, along with stiff joints and joint pain, which can cause symptoms as if suffering from arthritis. But it’s not actual arthritis, it’s just painful.

Overuse of a joint can also be mistaken for arthritis. Repeated injuries can cause pain in the muscles, tendons, and nerves in the arms and legs. If it is not severe, the symptoms will improve if you refrain from using the joint, but in severe cases, tendonitis, fasciitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. may occur, so be careful.

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#arthritis #Illusionary #diseases

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