Arthritis

 
The cause of arthritis is not fully known. One theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to developing the disease, but this is not yet proven. Factors that may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis include:

• obesity, which puts added strain on joints,
• jobs that involve repetitive movements of a particular joint, or
• previous damage to joint, such as from a sports injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be caused by a fault in the immune system that causes the body to attack its own tissues. This may be inherited genetically.

People with a family history of osteoarthritis seem to be more prone to developing the condition, although the reason why has not been fully established.

Arthritis caused by a virus is called 'reactive arthritis’. It's very difficult to diagnose and can develop at any age, but is more commonly seen in younger people. Reactive arthritis can last between a few weeks and six months. Antibiotics are often the first line of treatment for reactive arthritis. A steroid injection may also be offered to alleviate inflamed joints.