Arthritis Symptoms
Of more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, these are the most common
types and their symptoms:
Osteoarthritis Arthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis / Osteoarthrosis (OA, also known as
degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, arthrosis or in more
colloquial terms "wear and tear"), is a condition in which low-grade
inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the
cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints. As the bone
surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences
pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased
movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments
may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis. The word is
derived from the Greek word "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro",
meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation, although many sufferers
have little or no inflammation.
Visit our Osteoarthritis section
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a
chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to
attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition,
which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint
destruction. RA is a systemic disease, often affecting extra-articular
tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs,
and muscles. About 60% of RA patients are unable to work 10 years after the
onset of their disease.[1]
Visit our Rheumatoid Arthritis Section
Gout Arthritis Symptoms
Causes sudden, severe attacks, usually in the big toe, but any joint can be
affected. A metabolic disorder in which uric acid
builds up in the blood and crystals form in joints and other places. Drugs and attention
to diet can control gout. Affects about 1 million Americans (70 to 80 percent men), with
first attack starting between 40 and 50 years of age.
Visit our
Gout Section
Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis Symptoms
A chronic inflammatory disease of the spine that can result in fused vertebrae and
rigid spine. Often milder and harder to diagnose in women. Most people with the disease
also have a genetic marker known as HLA-B27. Affects about 318,000 Americans, usually men
between the ages of 16 and 35.
Juvenile Arthritis Symptoms
The most common form is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis diagnosis,
treatment, and disease characteristics are different in children and adults. Some children
recover completely; others remain affected throughout their lives. Affects about 200,000
Americans.
Visit our Juvenile Arthritis section
Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Bone and other joint tissues become inflamed, and, like rheumatoid arthritis, it
can affect the whole body. Affects about 5 percent of people with psoriasis, a chronic
skin disease. Likely to affect fingers or spine. Symptoms are mild in most people but can
be quite severe. Affects about 160,000 Americans.
Visit our Psoriatic Arthritis section
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Symptoms
Involves skin, joints, muscles, and sometimes internal organs. Symptoms usually
appear in women of childbearing age but can occur in anyone at any age. Also called lupus
or SLE, it can be mild or life threatening. Affects at least 131,000 Americans, nine to
ten times as many women as men.
Visit our Lupus Section
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is the invasion of the joint space by an infectious
agent which produces arthritis. The usual etiology is bacterial, but viral,
mycobacterial, and fungal arthritis occur occasionally. Bacteria are either
carried by the bloodstream from an infectious focus elsewhere, introduced by
a skin lesion that penetrates the joint, or by extension from adjacent
tissue (e.g. bone or bursae).
Visit our
Septic Arthritis Section
Other forms
Arthritis can develop as a result of an infection. For example, bacteria that cause
gonorrhea or Lyme disease can cause arthritis. Infectious arthritis can cause serious
damage, but usually clears up completely with antibiotics. Scleroderma is a systemic
disease that involves the skin, but may include problems with blood vessels, joints, and
internal organs. Fibromyalgia syndrome is soft-tissue rheumatism that doesn't lead to
joint deformity, but affects an estimated 5 million Americans, mostly women. The
approximate number of cases in the United States of some common forms of arthritis.
Visit
our main index for information on over 100 types of arthritis and hundreds
of other inflammatory and bone conditions. To
help you understand your doctor visits try our
arthritis terminology page
Here is a fun
animal video site to lighten up your day. |
