Arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects the joints. There are over 100 joint-related conditions that can be linked to arthritis, but the most common types can be narrowed down to three. All of these types come with pain and some degree of movement limitation, depending on the severity. At Gainesville pain management center, our doctors often deal with patients with arthritis and help them manage their pain better.
Arthritis in numbers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in 4 American adults, or 54.4 million people suffer from a form of arthritis. 15 million of these patients experience severe joint pain while 50% endure persistent pain.
Women tend to experience severe joint pain more than men. Likewise, severe joint pain is more common in adults with other medical conditions such as diabetes, physical disability, obesity, and heart disease. The negative impact of arthritis isn’t exclusive to the physical wellbeing of patients. In fact, reports show that more than 50% of patients with arthritis suffer from psychological distress as well.
Common types of arthritis
Our pain doctor in Gainesville has revealed that most common types of arthritis present in patients who seek help for pain management
Osteoarthritis
More than 30 million adults in the United States suffer from osteoarthritis. This condition is caused by the wear and tear of the joint cartilage that is found between the bones. When this cartilage is damaged, the affected joint will not be able to absorb shock properly and movement becomes painful as the end of the two bones rub against each other.
Rheumatoid arthritis
While osteoarthritis is usually caused by overuse, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s own immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation and damage.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown and the onset of symptoms may be gradual or sudden. Regardless, they occur in a symmetrical pattern, which means that symptoms manifest on both sides of the body. The pain, swelling, and stiffness are usually more severe than in patients with osteoarthritis.
Gout
Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals. Uric acid is a waste product of metabolizing purine-rich foods such as organ meats, sardines, beans, and beer. When you eat too much purine, the body won’t be able to filter uric acid in the kidneys fast enough, so they build up in the blood and are deposited in the soft tissues.
While rheumatoid arthritis manifests in a symmetrical pattern, gouty arthritis affects one joint at a time; usually, it’s the joint of the big toe. The onset of symptoms is usually sudden and these include a severe and sharp joint pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness.
Suffering From Arthritis Pain? Let Gainesville Pain Management Doctors Help You
Advanced Pain Medical Center is a pain clinic that offers high-quality services such as innovative medical marijuana solutions, pain management, and regenerative medicine. If you suffer from pain caused by arthritis, schedule an appointment with our doctors in pain doctor today!
If you have any other questions, please Contact Us with your queries.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
