The Effect Of Arthritis On Your Body

Many chronic diseases affect the human body. Arthritis is one of these diseases which causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in different joints. Issues caused by arthritis are not just limited to the body but also impact life as it can cause problems in the emotional well-being as well.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It occurs when the cartilage that surrounds it starts to wear away, causing discomfort and pain. There are several types of arthritis because not all people have the same symptoms or responses to injuries. For example, osteoarthritis tends to cause pain in the knees and hips but may not affect other body parts.

Effects of Arthritis On the Body

Arthritis affects the rest of the body as well as joints. There is a wide range of symptoms that can occur from inflammation, from mild to severe. Here are the effects of arthritis on the body.

Affects The Body’s Muscles

If people experience pain in the joints, it can also be quite uncomfortable for their muscles. Because of this, arthritis may affect the way they move. If the pain is severe, it might even prevent them from doing some everyday activities that they enjoy, like swimming or playing sports. It could cause difficulties with their day-to-day life so long as they have arthritis.

Affects The Body’s Emotions

People with arthritis can also feel emotional and depressed because of the pain in their joints. They might feel down in the dumps and may not be able to leave their home for long periods. It can cause problems during social interactions and in school, especially because it affects how others treat them.

Affects The Bones

People with arthritis might also have difficulty with their bones. It can cause swelling of bones, which can leave them feeling sore depending on the location of the joint that’s experiencing pain. They may even develop bone fractures that require medical attention, or it can cause them to develop osteoporosis in the long run, which results in weak bones and an increased risk for broken bones.

Affects The Joints Of The Hands And Feet

Children with arthritis may also experience pain in their hands and feet. If they move their fingers or feet very far, they may develop tendonitis that causes pain in the joints of their hands or legs. According to Joint Academy, finger joints, the elbow and knees are some of the ball and socket joint examples and they can only be bent in the plane of motion.

Even if people don’t experience pain, these bones can still become weak over time, causing them to break easily.

Affects The Lungs

People with arthritis may also have difficulties breathing correctly because of the inflammation of their lungs. The pain can cause this, but it can also be caused by moving around less. It can also cause a lot of mucus to be in the making in the lungs. It can even cause lung infections and shortness of breath.

Affects The Heart

People with arthritis may also have problems with their hearts because of the inflammation in their joints. Arthritis can cause the blood to pool in the legs, forcing it to move differently and causes the heart to work harder. It can even cause angina and arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat).

Affects The Kidneys

People with arthritis may experience problems with their kidneys and urinary system because of the inflammation of their joints. The blood that pools in the legs can strain the kidneys and cause them to become inflamed, which is known as nephritis. Arthritis can also affect how well people pee by causing them to lose control of it. They might even develop urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Affects The Skin

Having arthritis can also cause changes to the skin. People with arthritis often have dry skin because they don’t sweat as easily, making them more likely to develop premature wrinkles. The skin gets puffy, too, because of excess fluid in the body. The legs are especially prone to problems with dry skin because of how much standing it requires for people who have arthritis.

Even though there are different types of arthritis, they all have similar effects on the body. Having arthritis can cause pain and discomfort, and it can also affect how people feel emotionally and physically. As long as these symptoms last, it’s important to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible because they could be the result of something much more serious than just arthritis.