Kinds of Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects various parts of the joints, and can change both the alignment and shape of the affected joints, preventing them from moving with ease. With more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, it is important to know which kind you suffer from in order to seek proper treatment.
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Osteoarthritis
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The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects more than 20 million people in the United States alone. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in joints begins to degrade and lubrication by synovial fluid is reduced, resulting in painful inflammation. Osteoarthritis is thought to be a genetic disorder, but can also develop without a family history of the condition or as a result of another condition, such as obesity, diabetes, inflammatory conditions, sports injury and pregnancy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body creates antibodies that attack the skin, lungs and joints. As a result of continued attack, rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic pain and inflammation in joints, particularly those of the hands and feet.
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Septic Arthritis
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Septic arthritis usually begins as a bacterial infection within the joints and most often affects the knee and hip joints. Bacteria usually enters the bloodstream through an open wound and then travels through the bloodstream where it eventually begins to affect bones and joints. There is an increased risk of septic arthritis following joint surgery, in those with rheumatoid arthritis and in people with compromised immune systems. Septic arthritis is usually easy to recognize, as it is produces severe pain, redness and swelling of the joint accompanied by a high fever.
Gout
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Gout is one of the most uncommon kinds of arthritis and is caused when crystals of uric acid accumulate in joints. The most common sites of gout are the toes, particularly the big toe. This form of arthritis can also affect the feet, ankles, knees and wrists.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is a debilitating form of arthritis that develops in children. Like rheumatoid arthritis, JIA is an autoimmune disease in which the body literally attacks itself. There are various forms of JIA that include Still's disease, polyarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
Fibromyalgia
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Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis that affects the muscles, particularly at the attachment point to bones. The condition causes pain and tenderness on specific points on the body and can cause fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stiffness and even psychological distress.
Other Types of Arthritis
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The many kinds of arthritis are too many to mention in detail, but include bursitis, tendinitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus erythematosus.
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