Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints. There are many types of arthritis, and each one can cause different symptoms. Arthritis can be caused by a variety of things, including obesity, genetics, and age. It’s important to get checked out for arthritis if you have any of the following symptoms: pain in the joints, difficulty moving your joints, swelling or stiffness in your joints, and redness or warmth near your joints.
There are many different types of arthritis, but this article will cover the most common types that millions around the world are affected by. By knowing about the various types of arthritis, people will be better able to manage their condition and prevent it from progressing further.
Major Types Of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis. This degenerative joint disease affects over millions of people. This form of arthritis is caused when the cartilage surrounding the ends of the bones begins to degenerate and the joints are no longer cushioned. This caused the joints to rub together and in severe cases, you can hear the bones grating against one another. At the onset of osteoarthritis,
the symptoms are usually mild and consist of pain and stiffness of the joints. As the disease progresses, inflammation and loss of motion can occur. In some severe cases, deformity can occur if the grinding joints wear one side of the joint more than the other.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is the second most common type of arthritis and the most severe. Symptoms usually begin appearing between the ages of 25 and 50 – however, children and senior citizens can experience the onset of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease because factors other than wear and tear of cartilage
can cause the disease and the disease can affect other organs, such as the eyes, lungs, and heart.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the joints on both sides of the body – for instance, both hands will be affected, both wrists will be affected, and both legs will be affected. The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, redness of the skin, fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Not only affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can give you an overall feeling of sickness. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating disease, however patients can experience periods of remission in which the symptoms disappear and they can lead a normal life.
Fibromyalgia
This is a type of arthritis that does not directly affect the joints. Rather, the inflammation and pain affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues under the skin. Many patients have tender spots under the skin that are painful when any type of pressure is applied. The symptoms for Fibromyalgia include deep muscle pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, and depression. Symptoms may come and go, but the disease is long term and chronic.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) also known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is a type of arthritis that affects children. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. JIA can affect any joint in the body, but it most often affects the hips, knees, ankles, and wrists. The cause of JIA is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic
factors. Symptoms of JIA include pain and swelling in the joints, difficulty moving the affected joint(s), redness or warmth around the joint(s), fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
Gouty Arthritis
Gouty arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that most often affects the big toe. The hallmark symptom of gouty arthritis is a sudden, severe attack of pain, swelling and redness in the joint. Attacks can also occur in other joints, including the ankle, knee or elbow. Gouty arthritis results from an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down
purines-substances found naturally in foods such as liver, dried beans and peas, anchovies and herring. When there’s too much uric acid in your blood (hyperuricemia), it can form deposits called tophi on bone surfaces or within tissues such as cartilage around joints.
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis is a type of arthritis caused by an infection. The most common infections that lead to arthritis are viruses, such as the flu or Coxsackie virus, but bacteria and fungi can also cause infectious arthritis. Infectious arthritis often affects the large joints in your body, such as your hips or knees, but it can also affect smaller joints. Symptoms of infectious arthritis include joint pain,
swelling, warmth, redness and stiffness. Fever may also be present. Infectious arthritis is treated with antibiotics if the infection is bacterial or antifungal medications if the infection is fungal. If the infection is viral, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms until the virus runs its course.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine. The inflammation can cause the joints between the vertebrae to swell, which can lead to pain and stiffness in the back. In some cases, the inflammation can also cause new bone growth around the joints, which can lead to a stiffening of the spine called ankylosis.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. It is a chronic condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can vary from person to person, and they may come and go over time. Some people only have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe joint pain and inflammation.
Cervical Arthritis
Cervical arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the cervical spine, or neck. It is caused by inflammation and damage to the cartilage and other tissues in the cervical spine. Symptoms of cervical arthritis include pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the neck. The condition can cause problems with swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Cervical arthritis is treated with medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids, physical therapy, and surgery if necessary.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. It is an autoimmune disease which means the immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of attacking viruses or bacteria like it should. This causes inflammation as well as damage to different parts of the body including joints, skin, kidneys, heart etc..
The signs and symptoms vary from person to person but often include fever, joint pain/stiffness ,fatigue ,skin rashes ,and problems with the kidneys.
Conclusion
Arthritis is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. There are many different types of arthritis, each with its own set of symptoms. Several treatments for arthritis depending on the type you have. Treatment may include medications such as:
- NSAIDs or steroids to reduce inflammation
- Chiropractic care to relieve pain and inflammation, and to improve joint function specially for patients with osteoarthritis
- Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid to help lubricate the joint
- Physical therapy to improve range of motion and strength
- Surgery in cases where other treatments have failed.
If you think you might have arthritis it’s important to see your doctor so he or she can diagnose it correctly and prescribe appropriate treatment. With proper treatment most people with arthritis can lead relatively normal lives with minimal discomfort.
