Kinds Of Arthritis

Learn about the kinds of arthritis. Arthritis is one of the most common types of joint disorders. It is caused by the inflammation of the joints of the body. This leads to a continuous pain localized in the joints. This pain arises due to damage to the joints from the disease, and regular wear and tear of the joints. There is no permanent cure for arthritis. However, physical therapy, lifestyle changes and medication may be used to reduce the pain. Sometimes, joint replacement surgeries are also conducted in the case of the eroding forms of arthritis.

There are several kinds of arthritis common in the world today. Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis are the most important ones. Some others include septic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Ankylosing spondylitis. The symptoms of arthritis include the inability to use hand or walk, muscle aches, tiredness, weight-loss, and poor sleep patterns. However, all joint pains do not necessarily signify arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis. It can affect all bones of the body, big and small. This disease can result due to regular wear and tear of the joint of the hands, feet, back, hip and knee. Sometimes it can also result due to accidents. This disease is most often noticed in ageing individuals. Obesity can also be one of the causes for this disease. Osteoarthritis causes intense joint pain and stiffness of the body. This is especially common in the weight-bearing joints in the body, like the hip. There is no proper treatment or cure for Osteoarthritis. However, weight loss is the best advised option for wellbeing.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most dangerous kinds of arthritis. In this disease, the body’s own immune system starts attacking the joints of the body. This is not limited to the joints alone, but manages to affect other parts of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis is common in fingers, wrists, knees and elbows. Unlike osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people above 20 years. It leads to narrowed joint space and bone erosions. Inflammation is usually the body’s response to infection or external threats. However, in Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation occurs without reason. With early diagnosis and treatment, most individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis are guaranteed a decent life.

Another common kind of arthritis is the gout, which results due to the deposition of uric acid in the joints of the body, causing inflammation. In the earliest stages, gout affects only one bone of the body, but with time, it spreads to most of the bones and can be quite crippling for the individual. This leads to the swelling of the joints and they lose their functions. When gout cannot be treated with normal medication, or the uric acid levels of the body cannot be controlled, this disease becomes especially painful. This occurrence of gout can be attributed to genetic reasons. It is also accompanied by hypertension.

Arthritis pain can be reduced by applying medication, physical exercises, a proper diet plan and some kinds of arthritis can be averted by avoiding excessive weight gain.