Young adult health: Recognizing arthritis signs and symptoms
Young Adults Face Increasing Risk of Arthritis: A Comprehensive Guide
Arthritis, a group of over 100 diseases causing chronic pain and joint inflammation, is no longer an affliction confined to the elderly. Young adults are increasingly being diagnosed with arthritis, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 1 in 14 people under 45 years old had some type of arthritis between 2013 and 2015.
Common Types of Arthritis in Young Adults
Four main types of arthritis affect young adults: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout, and Osteoarthritis (OA). Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can also transition into young adulthood.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease often beginning in young adults with symmetrical joint involvement and systemic symptoms like fatigue. Early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can reduce joint damage and improve long-term outcomes.
Psoriatic Arthritis occurs in people who have psoriasis, affecting both skin and joints. It may cause asymmetric joint pain as well as nail changes.
Gout is characterized by painful acute attacks caused by uric acid crystal deposition in joints, often triggered by diet or metabolic factors. Being diagnosed with gout as a young adult correlates with an increased risk of another gout flare-up.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is traditionally seen as a disease of older adults but can appear in younger adults especially following joint injury or due to occupational overuse.
Treatment Options
Treatment for arthritis in young adults focuses on reducing inflammation and pain management. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, anti-inflammatory and non-opioid medications, disease-modifying drugs, exercise, and psychological support.
The right combination of medical care, psychological support, advocacy, and self-care can improve a young person's quality of life. While there is no cure for most forms of arthritis, treatment can help, and may even send the disease into remission, allowing a person to live symptom-free.
Support for Young Adults with Arthritis
Young adults with arthritis may struggle to find support and feel misunderstood. They may benefit from joining a support group, trying medication management options, talking with loved ones, asking for disability accommodations, and seeking psychological support if arthritis causes depression, anxiety, or severe stress.
The Americans With Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to help people with disabilities do their jobs.
Risk Factors
Some risk factors for developing arthritis in young adults include gender (most types of arthritis are more common in women), genetics, smoking, repetitive motions, infections, having excess weight or obesity, and certain occupations.
Additional Notes
RA was identified as an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases in a 2018 study. RA affects approximately 0.5% of the adult population, according to a 2017 study.
Juvenile arthritis appears during childhood and can persist into adulthood, comprising several subtypes with varying clinical features.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs due to too much uric acid in the body. Being diagnosed with gout as a young adult correlates with an increased risk of another gout flare-up.
Osteoarthritis results from gradual wear and tear on the cartilage-cushioning joints. In a 2019 study, approximately 6% of American adults experienced gout.
By understanding these types, their specific symptoms, risk factors, and appropriate treatments, young adults can receive tailored management to improve quality of life and prevent joint damage.
- Arthritis, a group of over 100 diseases, is increasingly affecting young adults, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the stated period.
- Four main types of arthritis affect young adults: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout, and Osteoarthritis (OA), with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) potentially transitioning from childhood into young adulthood.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that often begins in young adults, characterized by symmetrical joint involvement and systemic symptoms like fatigue.
- Psoriatic Arthritis, affecting both skin and joints, occurs in people with psoriasis, causing asymmetric joint pain as well as nail changes.
- Gout, characterized by painful acute attacks due to uric acid crystal deposition in joints, is more common in young adults, with a diagnosis potentially leading to an increased risk of subsequent flare-ups.
- Osteoarthritis (OA), traditionally seen as a disease of older adults, can appear in younger adults due to joint injury, occupational overuse, or associated factors.
- Pfizer, a renowned pharmaceutical company, provides various treatment options for arthritis, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for RA and medications like non-opioid pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain management.
- Science, alongside medical advancements, has led to a better understanding of arthritis and its impact on young adults in terms of their health, workplace, and potential chronic diseases like RA and gout.
- A holistic approach to arthritis treatment involves addressing not just physical aspects like fitness and exercise, nutrition, and skin care, but also mental health and stress management.
- To support young adults with arthritis, multiple resources are available, such as support groups, medication management options, talking with loved ones, seeking disability accommodations in the workplace, and seeking psychological support when necessary.
- Young adults with arthritis can improve their quality of life with the right combination of medical care, psychological support, self-care, and understanding of their specific condition, such as RA, gout, or osteoarthritis, and the associated risk factors and treatments.
