How arthritis can affect young adults, symptoms, and more – Medical News Today

Arthritis is a group of more than 100 diseases causing chronic pain and joint inflammation. Most types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, are more common in middle-aged and older people. But arthritis also occurs in young adults.

Young adults with arthritis may develop juvenile arthritis as children. Additionally, their symptoms may start in young adulthood. Getting an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment can help.

Certain factors increase a young person’s likelihood of developing arthritis. Gender, genetics, and having excess weight all play a role.

It is challenging to receive an arthritis diagnosis at a young age. But there are various treatment options available that allow people with arthritis to live full and active lives.

Read more to learn about how different types of arthritis affect young people, and about diagnosis and treatment.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Some of the most common include:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. This means it causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue, usually in the joints and sometimes in the organs. It can affect multiple joints and a person’s overall health.

A 2017 study examining people with RA found that it affected 0.41–0.54% of the adult population. The prevalence increased with age, and the disease was more common in women than in men.

Because it is an autoimmune disease, RA also affects young adults. A 2018 study of 52,840 people, 10,568 of whom had RA, identified RA as an independent risk factor for certain conditions. It found that young adults with RA may have an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), such as stroke and coronary artery disease, and that the risk of CVD or coronary artery disease was 2.35 times higher in young adults with RA.

Learn more about RA.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, results from gradual wear and tear on the cartilage-cushioning joints. Anything that increases wear and tear on the joints, such as high-impact sports or having excess weight, may increase a person’s risk for OA. This applies to both older and young adults.

Because it happens due to gradual …….

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/arthritis-in-young-adults