Can you get arthritis at a young age?

[Anonymous]

My fingers always feel like the need stretched (like if you where to stretch when you wake up) or cracked at the knuckles. Also if i have been sitting down on the floor and i get up my knees feel stiff and crack. Im not unhealthily or overweight, I go to the gym with my friend or jogging. But i have been a vegetarian since i was 5 and I'm now 17, so i am probably lacking a lot of vitamins. I could be anaemic to, i am very pale and my nails are so weak, but anyone able to give advice? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't think you have artritis, but you should probably still have yourself checked out by a medical professional. You may be lacking some vitamins, my guess is iron, which is commonly found in red meats (which you obviously do not eat since you said you're a vegetarian, but you can get it in pill/capsule form, yay!) brittle nails and pale skin are attributes to this, if i'm not mistaken. Iron deficiency is a blood thing as far as I know. As for the stiff joints, it can probably be attributed to the iron deficiency as well as it can weaken you since your red blood cells aren't working too well, and your joints aren't as smooth as they could be because of this. hope this helped!

[Asker]

Aw thank you! This could answer a lot of questions hahah!:)

[bubble_tea]

yes, 'RA, which affects 1.3 million people in the U. S., is typically diagnosed between ages 30 and 80, but also occurs in young people.

“The chance that a young adult will develop RA is more common than previously thought,” '

source: www.webmd.com/.../young-adults-with-rheumatoid-arthritis

[CommieKiller]

Yes, I've suffered from arthritis for about a decade. It was due to working too hard, exercising and training a lot, boxing, getting in a lot of fights, etc. You sound athletic from your description so I imagine you are just wearing your joints out from all the exercise you get. You should take it easy on your joints, they are easy to damage so it's important to take care of them.

[Asker]

I used to run a lot on the ground since i was 5, so that ruined my knees maybe, and i have started again so its not helping haha

[CommieKiller]

Well running on the ground can actually be better than running on pavement or concrete, because the dirt gives underneath your feet and it doesn't wear out your knees and hips as bad from the recoil.

[jmr2191]

It's extremely uncommon, but far from unheard of. Most cases are secondary to autoimmune disease (including Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Sjögren's Syndrome). Some cases of osteoarthritis in children and adolescents have been reported, but the cause is usually unknown.

[Zango91]

Not at your age. 30s is the earliest. You might have osteoporosis due to calcium deficiency. You need to resort to Milk and Iron + folic acid supplements. But do check up with a doctor regarding your health.

[SomethingWicked]

Yes, you can, you can also get many muscular things too at a young age. Better going to the doctor and telling them all your symptoms.

[Asker]

Okay thank you :)

[itsme_goodsamaritan]

Definitely its because of malnutrition. So u need to see a dietitian, not an orthopedist!

[Asker]

Do you think i could have artheritits?

[itsme_goodsamaritan]

No, its only because u r in ur teens, which is the time for growth. Body needs lot of nutrition that's all. All the symptoms listed by you indicate u r not following the right diet. I find it highly improbable that you will get arthritis all of a sudden at 17.

[Asker]

Okay thanks!

[Klaatu51]

yes but it's rare to hapen yhough