Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints, including the cartilage, synovial membrane, ligaments, and underlying bone. There are many types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
Although not immediately fatal like heart disease or cancer, untreated arthritis can lead to serious consequences for both physical and mental health, as well as significantly reduce the quality of life.
What happens if your arthritis is not treated early?
If arthritis is not treated promptly, it will cause serious consequences and affect your quality of life as follows:
1. Irreversible joint damage and deformity
When arthritis is left untreated, chronic inflammation will gradually wear away the cartilage that cushions the joints. This causes the bones to rub directly against each other, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Over time, inflammation can spread to surrounding tissues such as ligaments, tendons and muscles, leading to stiffness, misalignment and visible deformity.
Joint deformities are often irreversible, even with treatment. Patients may experience crooked fingers, twisted toes or bowed knees, affecting both mobility and appearance.
2. Disability and disability
Severe joint damage makes it difficult for patients to perform daily activities such as walking, grasping objects, climbing stairs or even caring for themselves. In many cases, untreated arthritis leads to disability, forcing patients to use a wheelchair or be bedridden and dependent on caregivers.
Disability due to arthritis not only affects the health of the individual but also leads to loss of productivity and creates an economic burden for both families and society. In many countries, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in adults.
3. Chronic Pain and Sleep Disturbances
Untreated arthritis often causes persistent joint pain, especially at night or when the weather changes. Chronic pain affects mobility, concentration, and mood, and often leads to insomnia and fatigue.
Many patients describe the daily experience of “living with pain” as mentally and physically draining. If not treated properly, this chronic pain becomes a long-term burden that significantly reduces quality of life.
4. Damage to other organs
Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are autoimmune diseases that can affect organs outside the joints. These extra-articular complications often occur after years of uncontrolled inflammation and can be life-threatening.
The damage it causes to our organs can be:
- For the heart: Pericarditis, increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
- For the lungs: Pleurisy, pulmonary fibrosis, difficulty breathing.
- For the eyes: Conjunctivitis, dry eyes, impaired vision.
- For the blood vessels: Vasculitis, increased risk of stroke.
As systemic damage occurs, treatment becomes more complex, more expensive, and less effective.
5. Mental health issues and depression
Living with chronic pain, limited mobility, and dependence on others can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. These psychological issues are common in patients with untreated arthritis, especially in the elderly.
Research shows that people with arthritis are twice as likely to develop depression as the general population. Unfortunately, mental health issues are often overlooked in arthritis care, leaving patients to suffer in silence.
6. Can cause complications if used incorrectly
Due to a lack of medical knowledge, many people self-medicate with painkillers or unverified folk remedies. Long-term use of nonprescription anti-inflammatory drugs can cause stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver or kidney damage.
Some patients also misuse corticosteroids, which if used improperly can lead to osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity. Instead of improving, their health often worsens, creating new complications and increasing treatment costs.
