Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a collective term for inflammatory joint diseases that can be both acute and chronic. There can be various underlying causes, from autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis to infections and metabolic diseases such as gout. Bacterial infections or concomitant diseases such as psoriatic arthritis can also lead to inflammatory joint changes.

Regardless of the cause, arthritis usually manifests itself through pain, overheating, redness, swelling and limited mobility of the affected joints. If the inflammation is not treated in time, it can lead to long-term joint damage.

What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?

Arthritis and osteoarthritis have different causes and progress differently, even if the symptoms may feel similar. While the arthritis described above is an inflammatory disease, osteoarthritis is caused by gradual wear and tear of the joint cartilage.

Arthritis is characterized by signs of inflammation such as swelling, overheating, pain at rest and morning stiffness. This form of joint inflammation can be triggered by autoimmune processes, infections or metabolic diseases such as gout.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is caused by long-term wear and tear of the joint surfaces. The pain mainly occurs with movement or strain and usually improves at rest. At an advanced stage, osteoarthritis can also be accompanied by an inflammatory reaction. This is known as activated osteoarthritis.

How does arthritis manifest itself?

Typical signs of arthritis are pain in the joint, which is not necessarily dependent on movement. Other symptoms include visible reddening of the skin over the affected joint, noticeable warmth, swelling and limited mobility. Fluid often collects in the joint, which leads to a so-called joint effusion.

The symptoms can vary in severity. In acute forms, such as an attack of rheumatism or gout, the symptoms usually occur suddenly and intensely. Chronic forms, on the other hand, develop over weeks, months or years and gradually lead to restricted movement and pain in everyday life.

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we take every form of arthritis seriously. Our team of specialists and therapists create individual treatment concepts that specifically address the cause and severity of the disease.

What are the causes of arthritis?

Arthritis can have very different causes. Often there is an incorrect reaction of the immune system, such as in rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Infections caused by bacteria or viruses can also trigger inflammation in the joint, especially if germs enter the joint via the blood. Sometimes arthritis develops some time after an infection, even though the actual pathogens are no longer detectable.

The cause of gout is usually a permanently elevated uric acid level, which causes crystals to be deposited in the joints and trigger inflammation there. A heavily worn joint, such as in advanced osteoarthritis, can also become inflamed.

What types of arthritis are there?

Not all arthritis is the same. Depending on the cause, experts differentiate between various forms, which differ significantly in their course and treatment.

Inflammatory rheumatic forms

The best known is rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane. Without treatment, the inflammation can lead to permanent damage.

Psoriatic arthritis also falls into this category. It occurs in some people with psoriasis, sometimes even without visible skin changes. Another form is axial spondyloarthritis (also known as ankylosing spondylitis), which mainly affects the spine and sacrum.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can occur in children and adolescents. It usually begins before the age of 16 and often affects several joints at the same time.

Infectious arthritis

This form is triggered by bacteria, viruses or fungi that enter the joint, for example via the blood or an injury. The course is usually sudden and very painful. Rapid treatment with antibiotics is particularly important here to avoid permanent damage.

Reactive arthritis

It occurs as a reaction to an infection outside the joint, e.g. after a urinary tract infection, a gastrointestinal illness or Lyme disease. The pathogens are no longer detectable in the joint itself, but the immune system overreacts. This form often heals within a few months.

Metabolic arthritis

The best-known representative is gouty arthritis, in which uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints and trigger acute inflammatory attacks. The big toe joint is most frequently affected. Other metabolic disorders such as haemochromatosis (an iron overload in the body) can also lead to joint inflammation.

Activated osteoarthritis

If an already worn joint also becomes inflamed, this is known as “activated osteoarthritis”. This usually occurs with heavy strain or friction. In such cases, not only is the pain treated, but the inflammation is also specifically reduced.

Further classifications

In addition to the cause, experts also differentiate arthritis according to the course, the number of joints affected and the region affected:

• Acute arthritis begins suddenly and violently, for example during a gout attack.
• Chronic arthritis develops slowly, lasts a long time and often progresses in episodes, as with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Monarthritis affects only one joint (e.g. the knee).
• Oligoarthritis affects two to four joints.
• Polyarthritis affects five or more joints, often on both sides of the body at the same time.
• The inflammation can also favor certain joints, such as the hip (coxitis), the knee (gonarthritis), the shoulder joint or the sacroiliac joint (sacroiliitis).

How is arthritis diagnosed?

At the Nuhr Medical Center, the diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation. This covers your complaints, their duration and possible accompanying symptoms. We then examine the affected joints. We check whether they are swollen, overheated or restricted in their mobility.

For further clarification, additional tests are carried out depending on the suspicion. Blood tests help to detect inflammation, rheumatoid factors or elevated uric acid. Imaging procedures such as ultrasound, X-ray or MRI are also used to precisely assess the joint structures. If joint fluid is present, it can be removed with a fine needle and examined in the laboratory, e.g. for inflammatory cells or germs.

How is arthritis treated?

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we pursue a holistic approach that goes far beyond traditional pain treatment. Our aim is to provide lasting relief from pain, promote mobility and improve quality of life in the long term.

Depending on the clinical picture, various therapy modules are used: Exercise therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, physical measures such as heat, cold or electrotherapy, targeted pain therapy and, if necessary, psychological support. We also provide advice on nutrition and use naturopathic methods to support the body holistically.

Which treatment is appropriate in each individual case depends on the cause of the arthritis:

• In rheumatic forms such as rheumatoid arthritis, special medication is important to slow down the progression of the disease. Exercise therapy and an anti-inflammatory diet complement the treatment.
• In the case of infectious arthritis caused by bacteria, antibiotics are the main treatment. In severe cases, the joint can also be flushed or treated surgically.
• Reactive arthritis that develops after an infection usually heals after a few months. Anti-inflammatory medication and targeted training help to maintain joint function.
• Gouty arthritis requires not only painkillers, but above all a long-term reduction in uric acid levels. Here we rely on a coordinated combination of nutritional therapy, weight regulation and drug support.

For all forms of arthritis, we support you individually with a treatment plan that takes your symptoms, your lifestyle and your goals into account. Our aim is to enable you to live a more active, pain-free and self-determined life again.

What diet helps with arthritis?

An anti-inflammatory diet can help to alleviate symptoms and reduce flare-ups. A plant-based diet rich in healthy fats and antioxidants has a particularly beneficial effect. This includes reducing the consumption of red meat and sausage products as much as possible and avoiding highly processed, high-sugar foods. Instead, you should regularly eat fatty sea fish such as salmon, herring or mackerel. High-quality vegetable oils such as linseed oil, walnut oil or rapeseed oil provide valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Colorful vegetables and berries are also important sources of vitamins and phytochemicals, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.

At the Nuhr Medical Center, we are happy to support you with personal nutritional advice tailored to your symptoms and needs.

What can I do myself for arthritis?

There are also things you can do in everyday life to relieve the strain on your joints and prevent inflammation. Exercise plays a central role in this. Regular activity that is gentle on the joints is important. Swimming, cycling or walking are particularly suitable for this. Keeping an eye on your weight or losing weight in a targeted manner also relieves the strain on your joints. Mindful handling of stress, sufficient sleep and conscious recovery phases help the body to regenerate. Techniques such as breathing exercises or relaxation training can also help to cope better with chronic complaints.

If you suffer from gout, you should also largely avoid purine-rich foods and alcohol. This is exactly where our therapy services at the Nuhr Medical Center come in: We provide you with individual advice, support you with targeted exercise therapy and help you to develop an active and healthy lifestyle.

Can arthritis be cured?

Whether arthritis can be cured depends on the cause. Acute forms such as bacterial joint inflammation can usually be completely cured if they are recognized and treated at an early stage. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, cannot be cured, but can be controlled very well with modern therapies. The aim is to stop or slow down the inflammation, maintain joint function and significantly improve quality of life.

With holistic care, as we offer at the Nuhr Medical Center, an active life despite arthritis is possible for many sufferers.