World Arthritis Day 2024: Spreading Awareness for a Healthier Future

World Arthritis Day, observed every year on the 12th of October, serves as a reminder of an often overlooked condition that affects millions of people around the world; arthritis. While typically considered an age-related illness, arthritis is now increasingly affecting the younger population, even those who are in their 20s and 30s. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are no longer considered rare in young adults, with millions of people under 40 dealing with the pain, stiffness, and mobility issues that come with such conditions. This World Arthritis Day, let’s raise awareness about arthritis, learn about self-care tips, and explore innovative treatments while understanding the significance of early diagnosis and better support systems for those living with this condition. 

History of World Arthritis Day 

World Arthritis Day was first organised on October 12, 1996, by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI), a network of international organisations that aim to raise awareness about arthritis and rheumatism and support and improve the lives of people who have this condition. Since 1996, many other global communities, such as the Arthritis Foundation, have joined hands to bridge the awareness gap and provide support and access to the communities while advocating for strong policies and increased support for research work in the field.

The Theme of World Arthritis Day 2024

The theme of World Arthritis Day 2024 is “Informed Choices, Better Outcomes”, which highlights the importance of evidence-based information in empowering individuals to manage their health effectively. This year’s theme encourages people to educate themselves about the condition, seek accurate diagnosis, and explore traditional and innovative treatment options. The aim is to empower people living with arthritis to take control of their health and improve their quality of life. 

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a term used to refer to more than 100 conditions characterised by pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints, often affecting the surrounding tissues. People across all age groups, races, and genders can develop arthritis. As a result, it is one of the leading causes of disability among people globally. While arthritis is common among women and elderly people, it is not strictly an age-related illness. In fact, recent reports indicate that over 22–39% of the Indian population suffers from arthritis, with a notable increase in the number of arthritis cases in young adults. 

Symptoms of Arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis may vary from mild to severe and may come and go. That said, common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Chronic pain: This is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis. The pain could be dull or severe and may get worse while doing some activity or in the evening. 
• Swelling: inflammation around the joints can lead to swelling, making it difficult to move the affected joint. 
• Stiffness: Many people dealing with arthritis often complain of stiffness in joints, especially in the morning or after sitting for a long duration. 
• Skin Redness: People dealing with arthritis may find their skin over the affected joint appears red or feels warm to the touch due to the inflammation in that joint.
• Limited Range of Motion: The affected joint may become stiff/less flexible limiting the movement of that joint, which may affect daily activities.

Types of Arthritis

There are various types of arthritis, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatments. Here are some of the common types: 

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis OA is the most common form of arthritis, which can damage almost any joint but it usually occurs in hands, spine, hips, and knees. It is caused by wear and tear on joints over time and is typically associated with ageing. Its symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased mobility in the affected area, and its treatment usually includes painkillers, physical therapy, weight management, and sometimes surgery. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

It is a type of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues including joints. This type of arthritis commonly attacks hands, wrists, knees, and feet. Some of the symptoms of RA include symmetrical joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment usually includes physiotherapy, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and pain relief medications.

Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis, as the name suggests, is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. This type of arthritis usually occurs when an infection from another part of the body spreads to a joint, often the knee. Some of the typical symptoms of this type of arthritis are swelling, pain and fever that can be sudden and intense, but with the right treatment involving antibiotics or antifungals, the infection can be treated.

Gout (Metabolic Arthritis)

This type of arthritis is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Normally the body has a mechanism to eliminate excess uric acid from the body, but when it’s unable to do so, the uric acid starts to accumulate in joints causing sudden and severe joint pain, especially in the big toe. To treat this type of arthritis, medications are prescribed to lower uric acid levels along with anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients may also be asked to make certain dietary changes. 

Self-care Tips to Manage Joint Pain due to Arthritis

Managing arthritis and its related symptoms require a combination of medication and self-care techniques that can help the patients with reduced joint pain, improved mobility, and maintain overall joint health. Some of the self-care tips in arthritis include:

• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Stay active with Low-impact Exercise
• Use hot and Cold packs 
• Practise Good Posture 
• Use Assistive devices
• Follow an Anti-inflammatory Diet
• Practise Yoga for Gentle Stretching 
• Get Massage Therapy
• Stay Hydrated
• Use Ergonomic furniture 
• Manage Stress 
• Quit Smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption 
• Take proper sleep of 7-8 hours 
• Seek support
• Stay Positive 

Innovative Treatments and Therapies for Arthritis

With increasing cases of arthritis around the world, the need for more effective treatments and therapies for arthritis is constantly growing. The good news is that with the help of the latest research and technology, doctors are now able to better manage joint pain, reduce inflammation, and even repair damaged tissues in some cases. Here are some of the most promising and state-of-the-art approaches to treating arthritis: 

Biologics and Biosimilars 

Biologics, also known as biological therapeutics, are powerful drugs derived from living organisms or their products. These drugs are to slow down and heal inflammation by targeting specific parts of the immune system responsible for inflammation in conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Biologics come under a class of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and are highly effective in controlling severe arthritis symptoms and slowing disease progression. Biosimilars are the less expensive alternatives to biologics.

Stem Cell Therapy

Although stem cell therapy is not a standard practice in treating arthritis, many doctors are using it in certain cases. The most common type of stem cells used for treating arthritis are mesenchymal stem cells, usually collected from a patient's fat tissue, blood, or bone marrow. These cells can develop into cartilage cells, helping repair damaged tissue. While stem cell therapy may look promising for osteoarthritis, with potential to improve joint function and reduce joint pain, more research is required to establish its long-term effectiveness. 

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy 

PRP therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that helps control inflammation and slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee, by increasing the concentration of growth factors in the targeted area. The therapy involves extracting a small amount of the patient's blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting them into the affected joint. Platelets release growth factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration. 

Gene Therapy 

Gene therapy is another advanced approach in treating arthritis. It aims to introduce modified genetic material of the patient into the affected joints to reduce inflammation or stimulate cartilage regeneration. While gene therapy seems like a promising treatment for arthritis, it is still in an experimental phase, and so far, no treatments are approved for its use. 

Peptide Injections

Peptides are a string of molecules called amino acids, which can have therapeutic effects when injected into the body. As some peptides have anti-inflammatory or regenerative properties, peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 are being studied for their effectiveness in treating arthritis. The most appealing part about using peptide injection is that they can reduce joint pain and improve mobility without any side-effects commonly associated with the use of traditional drugs. 

Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injection, also known as Viscosupplementation, is one of the treatment options for arthritis that involve injecting a gel-like fluid into a joint. As in osteoarthritis, the level of hyaluronic acid decreases overtime, leading to joint pain and stiffness, injecting Hyaluronic acid injection directly into the joint can help lubricate the joint and reduce pain. 

How Can You Contribute to World Arthritis Day?

World Arthritis Day is dedicated to raising awareness about arthritis, by educating and supporting those affected with this condition. Given below are several ways in which you can make your contribution to World Arthritis Day:

• Raise Awareness through social media
• Organise or join awareness events 
• Host an educational workshop
• Support fundraising campaigns 
• Volunteer with arthritis organisations
• Share your story or loved one’s journey 
• Promote healthy lifestyle changes 
• Advocate for increased arthritis research funding, and better healthcare access
• Donate to arthritis research
• Host or participate in virtual events
• Wear blue for arthritis - the colour associated with arthritis awareness 
• Create arthritis-friendly workspaces
• Provide support to someone with arthritis

Conclusion

This World Arthritis Day, let’s make a conscious choice to take proactive steps toward joint health by staying informed, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and seeking timely medical intervention. Whether you are dealing with arthritis yourself or supporting a loved one with arthritis, Max Hospitals is here to help with advanced care and innovative treatment options. Join us in the fight against arthritis by spreading awareness, getting involved in local or online events, and making health a priority. Contact Max Hospitals today to schedule a consultation with our arthritis specialists and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Together, we can move toward a healthier, more active life.