As arthritis is medically classified into so many different variations, causes typically relate to a specific type or category of this condition.
Most forms of arthritis are as a result of a combination of factors which contribute to related symptoms of inflammation, pain and stiffness. Some arthritic conditions appear to have no obvious cause, with symptoms that occur unpredictably.
The most common potential causes as they relate to the different classified categories are:
- Injuries – broken bones (can lead to degenerative arthritis symptoms)
- Genetic factors (arthritis which appears to run in families)
- Infections in the body (bacterial, viral or fungal)
- Immune system impairment or dysfunction
- Abnormal metabolism
- Physically demanding occupations – ‘wear and tear’ of joints (contributing to overuse and unnecessary joint pressure)
- Uric acid or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal formations in the body (joints)
Factors which can aggravate an underlying cause of arthritis include:
- Foods which increase inflammation in the body (such as refined sugars or animal-derived foodstuffs)
- Foods which provoke an immune system response (such as a diet high in purines – seafood, red wine and red meat)