Autoimmune disorders: This means that the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis cases, the body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the body, resulting in inflammation to joints as well as other body organs. In the joints, this inflammatory response affects the synovium, a soft tissue in your joints that produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints, eventually destroying both bone and cartilage inside the joint.
The exact cause of the immune system’s attacks is unknown. But scientists have discovered genetic markers that increase your risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis.
Normal wear and tear: One of the most common forms of arthritis may be resulting from normal wear and tear. An infection or injury to the joints can exacerbate this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue.
Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. A reduction in the normal amount of this cartilage tissue causes some forms of arthritis.
Infections: One example is septic arthritis, which is a type of arthritis that is caused by an infection in the joint. Septic arthritis can be caused by bacteria that enter the joint through an injury or surgery, or it can be the result of an infection elsewhere in the body that spreads to the joints.
In addition, some infections that affect the skin or other parts of the body can lead to inflammation in the joints and cause symptoms similar to those of other types of arthritis. For example, Lyme disease, which is caused by a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, can cause inflammation in the joints and other parts of the body.
Age: As people get older, the cartilage in their joints begins to wear down, which can lead to osteoarthritis.
Injuries: Traumatic injuries, such as a fracture or a ligament tear, can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the affected joint later on.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts additional strain on the joints, which can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, particularly in the hips, knees, and lower back.
A diet high in purines: Gout, a type of arthritis is characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Purines are found in certain foods, such as red meat, organ meat, and seafood, and when they are broken down by the body, they are converted into uric acid.
In people with gout, the body either produces too much uric acid or does not excrete it efficiently, which can lead to an excess of uric acid in the bloodstream. When this excess uric acid crystallizes and accumulates in the joints, it can cause inflammation and pain.
Genes: Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, have a genetic component, which means that they can run in families.
Family history: Having a family member with a certain type of arthritis can increase the risk of developing that type of arthritis oneself.
Muscle weakness: Weak muscles, particularly in the legs and core, can put additional strain on the joints, which can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis
At times, the causes of certain types of arthritis is not fully understood but it is thought to be related to an imbalance in the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and an abnormal sensitivity to pain.