There’s a common misconception that arthritis only affects senior citizens. While elders are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, this joint disease can affect people of all ages, including children (although it’s less common).
If you experience debilitating pain in your joints with inflammation, swelling, and other symptoms, you are not alone. Visit an orthopedic doctor in Mumbai to discuss reliable treatment plans for arthritis. Meanwhile, we’ve listed some common issues that make young adults likely to develop arthritis.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis has over 100 types. Most youngsters, however, have one of these:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gout
- Juvenile arthritis
Identifying the type of arthritis you have can help narrow down the underlying causes. Here’s what commonly causes arthritis in young people.
- Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system protects your body from contracting an infection or illness due to foreign objects. In people with autoimmune diseases, the defense system mistakes their own body’s healthy tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them.
Rheumatoid arthritis triggers your immune system to target your joint lining. The condition can affect young adults. Those with a family history of autoimmune disorders are more likely to develop RA.
- Joint Injuries
Repetitive movements, such as squats, running, and physically demanding tasks, can strain your joints and might damage your cartilage. Likewise, athletes and fitness trainers can sustain joint injuries. While your joints may seem like they’ve healed, the cartilage can wear away. This damage can cause inflammation and might eventually turn into arthritis.
- Obesity
Every kilogram of weight that you gain puts excessive pressure on your knee and hip joints when you move. This can speed up the cartilage breakdown. The risk is especially higher in young adults living a sedentary lifestyle.
Eating junk food, staying inactive, or certain hormonal conditions can lead to rapid weight gain, which can be a contributing factor to arthritis.
- Infections
Septic arthritis occurs when bacteria find their way to your joints, either during surgery, an injury, or through the bloodstream.
The symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and tenderness around the affected joint. Infections can also trigger reactive arthritis, in which your immune system mistakenly causes joint inflammation when fighting an infection.
- Congenital Joint Disease
Children born with congenital joint diseases, such as hip dysplasia, might develop arthritis in their early 20s and 30s, compared to children with healthy joints. Misaligned joints can cause poor posture and uneven movements, which, in turn, strain your joints further. This misalignment can cause cartilage breakdown.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Young Adults
Arthritis doesn’t occur suddenly. A dull ache may not seem serious at first. The signs are often subtle. However, with the disease progressing, the symptoms worsen. Here’s how to tell if you have arthritis.
- Pain in the joint
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen joints
- Limited range of motion
- Redness
- Fatigue
- Joint deformity (if it’s not treated)
Conclusion
Arthritis doesn’t just affect older people. Lifestyle factors, congenital abnormalities, repetitive use of the joints, joint injuries, and autoimmune diseases can raise your risk of developing arthritis at a young age.
Watch for pain and swelling in the joint, difficulty in movement, redness, and other signs of inflammation, and seek immediate arthritis treatment in Mumbai.
