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Saina Nehwal hinted at her resignation due to arthritis. Here’s all that we need to know about arthritis in young adults.

Saina Nehwal, on the House of Glory podcast, revealed that she is having arthritis in her knees. Speaking to the anchor, Saina said, “The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for eight to nine hours.” The 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist further added that it is getting challenging for her to train the usual hours – she cannot help but consider that her career might be in the final leg.

Arthritis in young adults

Commenting on this, in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Dipti Patel, Consultant Rheumatologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said, “Arthritis, commonly associated with older adults, can also significantly impact younger individuals, including those between the ages of 20 and 40, as well as children. Inflammatory arthritis, which includes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, can affect young adults and often begins in early adulthood. Symptoms in this age group typically include persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, which may particularly affect weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and lower back. Inflammation can cause considerable discomfort and fatigue, potentially impacting work, social activities, and overall quality of life.”

Arthritis at a young age: How to manage?

Addressing this, Dr Dipti Patel added that managing arthritis is done through a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. “While arthritis cannot always be prevented, several measures can help manage and mitigate its impact. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term joint damage and managing symptoms effectively. Engaging in regular low-impact exercise, such as swimming or cycling, helps maintain joint flexibility and strength while minimizing stress on the joints. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, supports overall joint health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important to reduce additional stress on the joints,” added Dr Dipti Patel.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Stress has long been recognised as a silent antagonist that can wreak havoc on both our mental and physical well-being. Among the myriad health conditions exacerbated by stress, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a prominent example.

This chronic autoimmune disorder not only inflicts pain on millions but is closely intertwined with the impact of stress on the body. We spoke to our expert who explained the hidden link between stress and RA.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis

“RA is a common autoimmune disease characterised by severe joint inflammation. This chronic condition leads to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, significantly reducing joint mobility”, said Dr Dipti Patel, Consultant Rheumatologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.

“It doesn’t limit itself to joints alone; it can also affect other vital organs, such as the eyes, lungs, heart, and skin. The core feature of autoimmune diseases like RA is the immune system’s misguided attack on healthy tissues, leading to diverse symptoms and health complications”, added Dr Patel.

According to Arthritis Research and Therapy, RA doesn’t just impact the joints; it can also harm internal organs, leading to lasting disability in some cases. Presently, there is no cure for this autoimmune condition, so symptoms are managed individually.

How Does Stress Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

“Stress, particularly chronic stress, can significantly exacerbate this inflammation. When the body experiences stress, it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which in turn promote inflammation”, explained Dr Pradeep Mahajan, Regenerative Medicine Researcher and Founder of StemRx BioScience Solutions India.

Dr Patel added, “Stress may also negatively impact the immune system’s functioning, making it harder for the body to regulate the autoimmune response responsible for RA.”

“Elevated inflammation levels can lead to an immune system response that attacks the synovium, the lining of the membranes that surround the joints, aggravating RA symptoms”, said Dr Mahajan.

Dr Mahajan added, “Moreover, stress-induced inflammation can lead to increased production of pro-inflammatory proteins known as cytokines. Elevated cytokine levels can further intensify the autoimmune response that characterises RA. Thus, stress acts as a catalyst for the self-destructive immune response that is at the core of this disease.”

Pain and Symptom Aggravation

The relationship between stress and RA is not just limited to the biological mechanisms at play. Stress can also impact the perception and tolerance of pain among RA patients.

“When stressed, individuals often experience heightened sensitivity to pain, which can make the discomfort of RA even more unbearable. Also, stress can exacerbate other common symptoms of RA, such as
fatigue
and
sleep disturbances
“, added Dr Mahajan.

He said, “The physical and emotional toll of RA is already substantial, and stress only serves to compound these challenges. The link between stress and RA is a two-way street.”

“While stress exacerbates RA symptoms, the chronic pain and reduced quality of life associated with RA can, in turn, create stress. This creates a vicious cycle, where disease and stress feed off each other, making it even more important to address both aspects for effective management”, explained Dr Mahajan.

The Mind-Body Connection

Understanding the mind-body connection is crucial for individuals with RA. Dr Patel said, “Stress and emotional well-being can have a significant impact on the course of the disease. Stress can exacerbate symptoms, potentially leading to increased pain and joint inflammation. Recognising this connection is the first step in effective stress management for RA patients.”

Stress and Immune Response

Stress profoundly influences the immune response in individuals with RA. Dr Patel said, “When stress levels are high, the body’s inflammatory response becomes overactive, causing increased pain and inflammation in the joints. This heightened immune response also contributes to the ongoing autoimmune attack on healthy tissues, worsening the condition. As such, managing stress is an essential part of controlling the progression of RA.”

Managing Stress for RA Patients

Our experts listed some tips for managing stress in RA patients as follows:

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Prioritise rest: Balance activity and rest in your daily routine. Rest is a crucial component of self-care for RA patients, helping manage both physical and emotional stress.
Psychological Support: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and counselling can assist in coping with the emotional challenges of RA and stress management.
Exercise: Regular physical activity tailored to an individual’s capabilities can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase joint flexibility.
Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage stress or depression.
Social Support: Building a strong support network of friends and family can help in managing stress by providing emotional support.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is shared by registered healthcare professionals and is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult your expert for a treatment plan tailored to your needs and medical history.]

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that hampers your body systems, including skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels along with your joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when your immune system falsely attacks your own body’s tissues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, affects the lining of the joints, causing a chronic inflammation that can gradually lead to bone deterioration and joint deformity.

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

1. Joints that are tender, warm, and swollen
2. Morning stiffness and inactivity are the most common causes of joint stiffness.
3. Fever, weakness, and a lack of appetite
4. Smaller joints, such as the joints that bind your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet, are often the first to be affected by early Rheumatoid Arthritis.
5. Wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders are often affected as the disease progresses. Symptoms manifest in the same joints on both sides of the body in the majority of cases.

Around 40% of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis may have signs and symptoms that aren’t linked to their joints. Many nonjoint structures may be affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis, including:

1. Skin
2. Eyes
3. Lungs
4. Heart
5. Kidneys
6. Salivary glands
7. Nerve tissue
8. Bone marrow
9. Blood vessels

The severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms can vary, and they can come and go. Flares, or periods of elevated disease activity, alternate with remissions, or periods where the swelling and pain diminish or disappear. Rheumatoid Arthritis causes joints to bend and move out of place over time.

Treatments

Rheumatoid arthritis has no proven cure. However, drug studies suggest that early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) improves the probability of symptom recovery (DMARDs).

Medicines

Your doctor’s prescription advice will be focused on the severity of your symptoms and the amount of time you’ve had Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Therapy

Your doctor can refer you to a physical or occupational therapist who can teach you workouts to maintain joint flexibility. The therapist can also recommend new ways to complete everyday activities that are less taxing on your joints. You would want to pick up an object with your forearms, for example.

Surgery

If medicines do not prevent or delay joint damage, you and your doctor can choose to have surgery to fix the damaged joints. Surgery can be able to help you recover the ability to move your joint. It can also help with pain and work.

Arthritis is a very common but misunderstood disease. “Arthritis” is not a single disease; it is an umbrella term referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 kinds of arthritis and similar conditions. People of all ages, genders, and races can have arthritis. It is most prevalent among women and occurs more often as people get older.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include inflammation, pain, stiffness, and lower range of motion. Symptoms may change and be irregular. They can be light, moderate, or severe. They may stay on the same for years but can improve or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in prolonged pain, impotence to do daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. 

Arthritis can cause lasting joint changes. These changes may be noticeable, such as bent finger joints, but usually, the damage can only be seen on an X-ray. 

Osteoarthritis

What is it? This is the most common type of arthritis. It’s the “wear and tear” that occurs when your joints are overused. It usually occurs with age, but it can also happen from joint injuries or obesity, which puts extra pressure on your joints.

Joints that carry weight — like your knees, hips, feet, and spine — are the most obvious places it affects. It makes the damaged joint hurt. But you don’t feel weak or have the tiredness that comes with some other types of arthritis.

Symptoms depend on which joint or joints are concerned. You may have:

• Long, aching pain
• Difficulty dressing, brushing your hair, gripping objects, bending over, sitting, or climbing stairs, depending on which joints are affected
• Morning stiffness that typically persists less than 30 minutes
• Discomfort when walking
• Stiffness after sitting

Treatments of Osteoarthritis depends on the severity of the symptoms and location. Usually, lifestyle modifications, temporary and supporting medication, and home remedies would be enough to provide you with relief from pain, stiffness, and swelling. Home remedies like stretching exercises, weight loss, sleeping adequately, and experimenting with heat and cold therapy can help soothe the pain and swelling. Along with home remedies, medications provided by your Arthritis specialist, and therapies like acupuncture and massage therapy can help in relieving the pain and stiffness. 

There are some foods that can ease your arthritis. The required amount of consumption of these foods helps you with your arthritis.

1. Whole Grain
2. Nuts
3. Soybeans
4. Fish
5. Olive oil
6. Dairy products

The part where your bones meet is called joints. These joints allow our body to move and perform various actions.

Joints include

1. Shoulder
2. Hips
3. Elbow
4. Knees

Discomfort, soreness, aches in joints are referred to as joint pain. Joint pain is common these days. One of the reason can also be illness or injury. However, there can also be other factors responsible for joint pain.

1. Arthritis

This is one of the most common causes of joint pain. The two forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

osteoarthritis is common in adults over the age of 40. It progresses slowly and tends to affect commonly used joints like the wrists, hands, hips, knees.

In this, the pain is due to the breakdown of cartilage which acts as a cushion and absorbs shock for joint.

The following can also be the causes of joint pain:

• Bursitis, or inflammation of the cushioning pads around joints, lupus, gout, certain infectious diseases, such as mumps, influenza, and hepatitis
• Chondromalacia of the patella, or a breakdown of the cartilage in the kneecap
• An injury, tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon
• An infection of the bone, overuse of a joint
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, sarcoidosis
• Rickets

Joint pain diagnosis

The doctor will probably perform a physical exam. They ask you a series of questions about your joint pain. This may help to narrow down the potential causes.

A joint X-ray may be necessary to identify arthritis-related joint damage. If your doctor suspects there’s another cause, they may perform a blood test to screen for certain autoimmune disorders. They may also perform a sedimentation rate test to measure the level of inflammation in the body or a complete blood count. 

Joint pain treatment

Home treatment

• Tropical pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce swelling and pain.
• Staying physically active is one way.
• Keep your body weight in a healthy range.

Medical Treatment

Depending on the cause of the pain treatment option can be surgical or non-surgical.

Early detection and diagnosis is important and can allow for effective treatment of the underlying cause of your discomfort.

Arthritis Treatment in Mumbai

Dr. Dipti Patel is currently working as rheumatology consultant (Rheumatologist In Mumbai) at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai central. Rheumatology as a speciality deals with all types of arthritis including Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Reactive arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, all types of joint pains including knee pain/ shoulder pain, connective tissue diseases like SLE (Lupus), Scleroderma, Polymyositis and Osteoporosis. Dr. Patel provides the best Arthritis treatment in mumbai and Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in mumbai.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints. Normally, body’s immune system is designed to fight micro oraganisms causing infections. Due to various reasons, the immune system may start considering its own body organs as foreign & attacks it. This self intolerance is known as autoimmunity. Read More “Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Mumbai”