Arthritis in Young Adults

Arthritis is a category of over 100 disorders that cause persistent pain and inflammation in the joints. The majority of kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, are more frequent among persons in their forties and fifties. However, arthritis may strike young people as well.

As children, young adults with arthritis may develop juvenile arthritis. Furthermore, these arthritis symptoms may begin in early adulthood. Obtaining a proper diagnosis and therapy might be beneficial.

A young person's risk of acquiring arthritis is increased by several circumstances. Gender, genetics, and being overweight are all factors to consider. Receiving an arthritis diagnosis at a young age is difficult. However, there are many therapeutic choices that enable individuals with arthritis to live full and active lives. One can also read our previous article on foods to avoid if you have arthritis.

Different types of arthritis

There are about 100 different forms of arthritis. Some of the most frequent are as follows:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of autoimmune illness. This implies the immune system attacks healthy tissue, commonly in the joints but sometimes in the organs. It may damage a person's general health and several joints.

A study of patients with RA found that it impacted 0.41–0.54 per cent of the adult population. The condition was more frequent in women than in males, and its frequency rose with age. RA affects young individuals since it is an autoimmune illness.

Osteoarthritis

The most prevalent kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), is caused by progressive wear and tear of the cartilage-cushioning joints. Anything that puts more strain on the joints, such as high-impact activities or being overweight, might raise a person's risk of OA. One can take Joint support tablets which have glucosamine chondroitin or can take Vitamin D3 tablets which have calcium and vitamin d.

Arthritis in children

Arthritis in children is known as juvenile arthritis. The most prevalent variety is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is a type of RA. Although juvenile arthritis may go away on its own in some cases, it can also last until adulthood.

It occurs when the body produces too much uric acid, a waste product. Certain medical disorders, such as renal failure and heart failure, might make a person more susceptible to them. Gout is more frequent among the elderly, although it may also strike young individuals.

Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis symptoms differ based on the kind. Chronic pain, especially in the joints, is a common feature of all kinds of arthritis.

Other signs and symptoms include:

mobility issues, such as discomfort
swelling, or redness around a joint
weariness (lack of energy)
weakness around a joint
Depression
fever

Factors that may raise the risk of getting arthritis in young people should be considered.

Women are more likely than males to develop arthritis, including OA and RA. Gout, on the other hand, is more frequent among males.
Genetics: A person's chance of developing arthritis is increased if other members of their family have the condition.
Smoking: Smoking raises the risk of RA and may exacerbate arthritis symptoms in persons who already have the disease.
Repetitive motions: Movements that put tension on joints, particularly the knee joint, may cause long-term injury. This may result in OA. Certain activities, particularly those that require individuals to stand for long periods of time, enhance a person's chance of developing arthritis.
Infections: Some infections may harm joints and raise the chance of developing arthritis.
Obesity or being overweight: Excess weight puts tension on the joints, which may lead to long-term damage.

Arthritis treatment

Arthritis has no known remedy. Instead, the emphasis of therapy is on lowering inflammation and managing discomfort. The kind of arthritis a person has determines the arthritis treatment options. Drugs that lower uric acid, for example, may help decrease gout discomfort. However, therapy options, in general, include:

Modifications in lifestyle: Some changes, such as stopping smoking, remove elements that aggravate arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a well-balanced diet may help reduce joint stress and inflammation.
Non-opioid and anti-inflammatory drugs may aid with flare-ups and pain relief.
Medicines that lower inflammation and limit the course of arthritis are known as disease-modifying drugs.
Exercise may assist to relieve arthritis discomfort. Physical therapy may assist some individuals in discovering new and healthful ways to move their bodies.
As a young adult, coping with arthritis - It is tough to live with arthritis at any age. However, being a young adult with no discomfort or limitations in movement may be unpleasant.

Some coping mechanisms include the following:

Joining a support group: If arthritis causes depression, anxiety, or extreme stress, a person may benefit from consulting with a chronic disease therapist.
Trying other medication management strategies: Make an appointment with a doctor to explore your choices. Some individuals need to try a variety of drugs before finding one that suits their requirements.
Talking with family and friends: Suggestions on how they may accommodate the individual and make them feel more involved are welcome.

Take Away

People of all ages are affected by arthritis. Young individuals with arthritis, on the other hand, may struggle to obtain support, wait longer for a proper diagnosis, and feel misunderstood since arthritis is often seen as an older person's condition. While most varieties of arthritis have no cure, therapy may alleviate arthritis symptoms and even put the illness into remission, enabling a person to live symptom-free. A young person's quality of life may be improved with the correct mix of medical treatment, psychological support, advocacy, and self-care.