Why is Arthritis Bad?
Arthritis is detrimental to one's health because it causes significant pain, stiffness, and inflammation in one or more joints. This discomfort significantly impacts daily life and can lead to long-term disability.
- Pain: Arthritis causes persistent joint pain, ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating agony. This pain interferes with everyday activities like walking, dressing, and sleeping. The pain can be worse at night or after periods of inactivity, as noted by Medical News Today.
- Stiffness: Joint stiffness limits range of motion, making simple movements difficult. This stiffness is often worse in the mornings or after periods of inactivity, as detailed by the OrthoInfo.
- Inflammation: Inflammation causes swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joints. This inflammation contributes to pain and stiffness and can damage the joint structure over time. The Mayo Clinic highlights this as a key symptom: Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints.
- Joint Damage: In severe cases, arthritis causes irreversible joint damage. This damage may necessitate joint replacement surgery. Cleveland Clinic explains that arthritis causes damage to the joints, where two bones meet. The Arthritis Foundation states that a flare-up represents a period of increased disease activity and worsening symptoms, which highlight the ongoing and potentially progressive nature of this disease. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/what-triggers-an-arthritis-flare
- Reduced Quality of Life: The chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation associated with arthritis significantly reduce quality of life. Simple tasks become challenging, leading to decreased mobility, social isolation, and depression. The impact of weather changes on arthritis symptoms, as noted by Cedars-Sinai, further compounds this issue.
Types of Arthritis:
Different types of arthritis have varying degrees of severity and impact. Osteoarthritis, for example, is caused by the breakdown of cartilage within the joint (NIAMS), while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The specific type and its severity will influence the overall impact on a person's health.
