Arthritis in Young Adults: Causes and Prevention Tips for Healthy Joints

Arthritis in Young Adults: Causes and Prevention Tips for Healthy Joints Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram When people think of arthritis, they often associate it with aging. In fact, arthritis can occur at any age, and we are seeing an increasing number of young adults in their 20s and 30s diagnosed with one of the numerous types of arthritis, which can lead to joint pain, restriction of joint motion, and decreased quality of life compared to an adult without these symptoms.  Knowing what causes arthritis in young adults and performing preventative strategies, can be very valuable in preserving the health of one’s joints for a more extended period. Let’s get started! What is Arthritis? Arthritis is a general term that includes joint inflammation, which is the cause of pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, or all three. There are over 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) being the most common types of arthritis.  OA is the type of arthritis we often associate with “wear and tear” over time, while RA and PsA are examples of immune-mediated or autoimmune forms of arthritis, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the joint. Knowing what causes arthritis in young adults is important because early recognition and prevention can make a big difference in managing the symptoms.  These early screening diagnostic techniques and screening procedures have identified an increasing number of young adults with arthritis risk factors. Understanding how to prevent arthritis earlier in life, through changes in awareness and lifestyle, can greatly decrease the incidence of joint damage later in life.  Regardless of your choice, exercise, healthy eating, and regular visits to your physician, understanding how to prevent arthritis in young adults is important for healthy joints. Symptoms of Arthritis in Young Adults If you have any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional, as education and early intervention are crucial if you want to learn how to prevent arthritis—especially if there is a family history or previous injury history.  Addressing symptoms as early as possible enables you to remain active, mobile, and pain-free longer—even if you are dealing with arthritis at a young age. Chronic Joint Pain: Chronic joint pain—even moderate—can be an early-indicative sign of arthritis in young individuals. Joint pain can be described as dull, sharp, or throbbing, especially with activity.  Morning Stiffness: Difficulty moving your joints when you wake up could be indicative of inflammation. This can be one of the first signs in diagnosing what causes arthritis in young adults. Swelling or Redness: Any joints that appear swollen, red, or warm to the touch may be indicative of inflammatory arthritis or any type of arthritis. Limited Range of Motion: Having trouble with common activities of daily living or noting limited movement with your joints can be an important yet subtle indicator of early arthritis. Fatigue or Low Energy: Feeling unusually tired or run down could be associated with types of autoimmune arthritis, especially if you are experiencing joint symptoms. Knee Pain or Instability: Undiagnosed arthritis is a common cause of knee pain in young adults. If you are experiencing pain in your knees after walking, running, or sitting, it may not just be an overuse injury. What Causes Arthritis in Young Adults? If you are thinking about how to prevent arthritis, the first step is to know your risk factors and to make mindful, ongoing health decisions. Preventive care is not only for later on, it starts with today, and before that knowing what causes arthritis in young adults is necessary:  Genetics: A significant family history is among the most common answers to what causes arthritis in young adults, particularly in autoimmune forms like rheumatoid arthritis.  Injuries: Injury to joints due to sports, accidents, or overuse, can create wear and tear leading to early-onset arthritis. This is, again, an example of what causes arthritis in young adults that usually occurs well after the aggravating injury occurs.  Obesity: Having excess body weight places excess stress on weight-bearing joints leading to increased inflammation and increased wear. This is a big concern when discussing what causes arthritis in young adults and can be managed through healthier lifestyle changes.  Poor Postural Habits and Physical Inactivity: Long periods of time spent in static postures and, then, poor body mechanics can lead to joint stiffness and degeneration of cartilage. Being proactive with movement and ergonomics is a smart step in how to prevent arthritis.  Autoimmune Disorders: Diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis commonly begin in early adulthood; these are some of the more serious examples of what causes arthritis in young adults.  Infections: Anti-bodies from some infections can lead to reactive arthritis, especially when the patient has a genetic predisposition for arthritis to later develop. Smoking and Alcohol Use: These habits directly link to increased inflammation and immune system disruption. Quitting both is strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in learning how to prevent arthritis. How to Prevent Arthritis: Simple Steps for Long-Term Joint Health It is vital to know how to prevent arthritis for anyone who wants to keep their mobility and quality of life as they age. One of the better approaches to how to prevent arthritis is to participate in regular low-impact exercise (such as swimming or walking), which will help strengthen the muscles around joints.  It is also important to know how to prevent arthritis with changes in lifestyle, which may involve reducing stress on your joints and not making repetitive movements, which may lead to wear and tear.  Another method of knowing how to prevent arthritis is staying hydrated, as water assists in keeping your joints hydrated and functioning properly. Including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts) will also assist with inflammation in the body.  Moreover, eating less processed foods and refined sugars—known to provoke inflammation and may be related to joint breakdown—is going to be equally important.  Knowing how to prevent arthritis also