Old age comes with some visible signs and age-related ailments. But, many diseases are not restricted to age, and people ignore the symptoms in the illusion of considering it may not happen to them. One such myth is that “arthritis affects old people only.” However, it may affect any age group and gender.
Young adults may develop arthritis for several reasons, including genes. They may face this condition due to obesity, infections, injury, etc. The risk of developing osteoarthritis and other arthritis types increases with age. This is the reason why middle-aged and elderly people complain of symptoms related to arthritis.
In a nutshell, young adults can also get arthritis. Juvenile Arthritis can happen in the early years. JA symptoms might emerge in young adulthood, but getting the proper diagnosis and treatment could be helpful.
Still have doubts? Read on.
About Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of disorders that increase inflammation in joints which eventually causes damage to the joint’s synovium, cartilage and bone. The patient may suffer pain, swelling, and restricted movement. The overall impact is on joints and connective tissues throughout the body.
One may spot arthritis by a joint’s redness and swelling. Since two or more bones converge at the joint, any swelling can be an indication of arthritis. Moreover, according to scientific research, there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis. Every kind of arthritis has different risk factors.
Although it might be hard to figure out the cause, medical assistance can be a turning point. Among young individuals, many factors can raise the risk of each kind of arthritis. Genetic inheritance is one of the major culprits in increasing susceptibility to arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Although each type of arthritis has varied symptoms, the commonality among all forms of arthritis is chronic pain, especially in the joints.
A few other symptoms are:
- Pain, swelling, or redness close to a joint
- Mobility issues
- Fatigue or weakness
- Strain near the joint
- Fever
- Depression
Types of arthritis
There are more than a hundred types of arthritis. The following are the most common forms of arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is a type of autoimmune disease. In other words, it causes the immune system to target healthy tissue, typically in the joints but occasionally in the organs. It impacts several joints as well as overall health. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, it also affects young adults.
Osteoarthritis: This is one of the most common arthritis types that occurs when the cartilage that protects your joints wears away. The patient may find their bones rub together while moving that particular joint. A combination of treatments will be suggested by a medical professional to help manage your symptoms.
Juvenile arthritis: Juvenile arthritis (JA) is not a disease in itself; it is an umbrella term often used to describe some of the inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children under the age of 16. Most types of JA are autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases.
For most forms of JA, this results in joint inflammation, swelling, pain or tenderness—while in some forms there may not be any joint symptoms ever or only affect the skin and internal organs.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: This affects the spine and causes inflammation and stiffness.
Psoriatic Arthritis: Connected with the skin disorder called psoriasis. It causes pain and inflammation of joints and a skin condition.
Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by your body producing too much uric acid. Since gout is more common among older adults, young adults do have the chance of getting it.
It was speculated that, in the population of less than 40 years, gout might be more of a risk factor for heart disease and heart failure. Those diagnosed with gout in early adult life are also at an increased risk of having a further gout attack.
Risk factors of arthritis in young adults
Recognizing early signs and pursuing treatment for young individuals with arthritis requires an understanding of its causes. Depending on the type of arthritis, a person’s genetic makeup, and lifestyle choices, the reasons can change.
Genetic Factors: A large part of arthritis in young people is due to heredity. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), being an autoimmune illness, may be predisposed by the genes that certain people inherit, can attack the joints, and cause inflammation.
Overuse: Young athletes and those working in occupations subjected to repeated stress on one joint are indeed prone to developing osteoarthritis or other forms of arthritis caused by repeated trauma to the joint.
Infections: They can be direct culprits in arthritis in young folks, especially bacterial and viral infections. As the infections induce inflammatory reactions into joints, young people between ages of 16-30 are fairly vulnerable to illnesses, including reactive arthritis.
Obesity: Joints, especially the lower back, hips, and knees, are subjected to undue stress when one becomes obese. This additive strain could be the cause of arthritis, mostly in young individuals having knee arthritis.
Lifestyle: Inactivity, smoking, and poor diet are some factors that might contribute to the development of arthritis. For example, smoking has been linked, especially in those who are genetically predisposed, to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments
Arthritis cannot be cured. Therefore, the treatments basically deal with controlling pain and inflammation. The kind of arthritis one has will determine their course of treatment. For instance, urate lowering drugs might relieve gout pain. But, generally, treatment options include:
Medications: Anti-inflammatory and non-opioid medications may be used for flare-ups and to alleviate pain. Disease-modifying drugs are medications that can decrease inflammation and slow down the progression of arthritis.
Physical Therapy and Exercise: Most of the time conducting physical therapy can also be included in arthritis treatment. Customized methods for exercises that help strengthen muscles around your joints and maintain or increase flexibility can be provided by a physical therapist. Low level, regular exercises such as walking, cycling and swimming will reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Lifestyle changes: Certain changes, like quitting smoking, eliminate practices that worsen arthritis. A healthful diet that promotes balance in the body may help reduce inflammation, and if you can manage a more reasonable body weight, you will take strain off an arthritic joint.
Surgery: If pain persists and nothing gives you relief, your doctor will advise you to go for surgery. Individuals often opt for total knee replacement surgery when the pain is unbearable.
Conclusion
Modern lifestyle has made our bodies susceptible to many diseases. Athritis, too, can strike anyone at any age. The major mistake we make here is viewing it as an older adult’s disease. Young individuals may have trouble getting support due to this misconception.
They wait longer to be diagnosed, and may not be fully understood. No cure has yet been found for most types of arthritis. However, medication can act as a treatment, reducing the symptoms. Medical treatment and personalised health care help improve the quality of life.
If nothing works, doctors suggest a total hip replacement surgery when arthritis pain escalates to a severe level.