Symptoms of arthritis can become more severe with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They can have a major impact on health if not promptly intervened and treated, according to the health website Verywell Health (USA).
Although arthritis is not fatal, serious complications can reduce the patient's life expectancy.
Medical experts warn that progressive forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can shorten life expectancy. Arthritis itself is not fatal, but complications that arise in severe cases can shorten life expectancy by about six to seven years.
Not only that, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the joints, leading to inflammation. Specifically, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joints called the synovium is attacked and inflamed. The result is joint pain, swelling, and difficulty moving.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints in the hands, knees, and ankles. Usually, the arthritis occurs in the same place on both sides of the body. If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated, the immune system will be damaged and cause instability in many other parts of the body such as the eyes, heart, kidneys, and blood circulation.
Another common type of arthritis that can affect longevity is gout. Gout develops when there is too much uric acid in the blood, leading to the formation of crystals around the joints, causing severe inflammation and pain.
Gout can cause a number of diseases such as metabolic syndrome, heart problems, chronic kidney disease, digestive problems, and even death if left untreated.
To reduce the risk of complications caused by arthritis, in addition to treatment with a doctor, patients also need to reduce stress, lose weight, avoid foods high in sugar and quit smoking. When these things are done, inflammation in the body will decrease, thereby contributing to improving arthritis symptoms. A lighter body thanks to weight loss, especially for overweight and obese people, will reduce pressure on the joints.
Another thing that is very important for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is to get vaccinated against flu or pneumonia in time. Vaccination will help keep the immune system healthy. Because if not vaccinated, when the body gets flu or pneumonia, the immune system will react to fight the disease. This condition is to trigger inflammation and painful swelling in the joints, according to Verywell Health .
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