10/02/2024
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which can have a variety of causes. Here are some of the more common causes of arthritis:
1. **Autoimmune Disorders**: In the case of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and damage to the joint tissues.
2. **Joint wear and tear**: Osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis) develops with the wear and tear of joint tissues due to age, overuse or trauma. It is one of the most common causes of arthritis.
3. **Trauma**: Damage to the joints due to trauma, such as fractures or sports injuries, can lead to the development of arthritis later on due to disruption of the joint tissue structure.
4. **Infections**: Some infections, such as septic arthritis or Lyme disease, can lead to joint inflammation.
5. **Genetic Predisposition**: Some people have a genetic predisposition to developing arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis and some other autoimmune forms.
6. **Co-morbidities**: Some diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis, are associated with arthritis.
7. **Chronic Conditions**: Chronic conditions such as diabetes can increase the risk of developing arthritis.
8. **Other Risk Factors**: Other risk factors for developing arthritis include being overweight, poor diet, smoking, and gender (women have a higher risk of developing some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis).
