Common Types of Arthritis

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Depending upon the form, it may be very painful and only affect certain daily activities or only go fairly unnoticed and still be manageable for many years. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain is usually centered in the feet, hands and hips. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, though it usually affects the knees. However, there are some forms that can affect just about any joint and body part. In other words, there are many different types of arthritis, each with its own characteristics, signs and treatments.

The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis affects the bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue. Symptoms can include swelling, stiffness, redness, warmth, loss of motion, infection, inflammation, hotness, night sweats, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and more. A doctor can determine the symptoms of your individual condition and recommend treatment based upon your symptoms.

The symptoms of both types of arthritis can differ, depending on which type you have. With arthritis of the knee, for example, there will be pain, swelling, stiffness and a loss of motion. With osteoarthritis, there will be pain, swelling, redness and fatigue. Each form of arthritis has to be diagnosed by a physician in order to effectively treat your pain and to devise an effective treatment plan.

Other symptoms that can occur with rheumatoid arthritis are swelling, tenderness, deformity of the joints, fever, weight loss and fatigue. These are typically experienced in the joint or surrounding tissue. Another symptom is joint deformity. The deformity is caused by scar tissue. It occurs more often in people who have rheumatoid arthritis and can cause pain and limitation of motion.

There are three types of arthritis – the inflammatory, degenerative and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis occurs when the body's immune system attacks the lining of the body's joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder of the bone, most commonly the joints in the knees and hands. This disorder is caused by wear and tear and can result in swelling and deformity of the joint. Both of these can cause pain and limitations in physical activity.

Inflammatory arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints and connective tissues. The body's natural response to injury is to repair, however, sometimes the repair process causes damage to surrounding tissues. Common inflammatory conditions of the joints include arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, and gout. Juntarjunas in India and Kashmir, Piles in the bladder and spondylosis in the spinal column are examples of connective tissues that can be inflamed. Inflammatory arthritis commonly occurs as a result of septic arthritis and can cause symptoms such as swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in the affected area.

If you experience pain, stiffness in your joints at night, even if you have had no bed rest, it may be due to nighttime inflammation. Also, if you have been sleeping well and waking up with morning stiffness instead of feeling fatigued, you may have undergone an inflammatory reaction in your joints during the night. Examples of inflammatory conditions that may affect the joints and surrounding tissues are osteoarthritis, gout, and sarcoidosis. Osteoarthritis can lead to serious complications, such as degenerative joint disease and disfigurement.

Lupus causes the body to respond to the presence of white blood cells by producing pro-inflammatory chemicals. Pro-inflammation causes swelling, pain, and a loss of mobility in joints and other tissues. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation caused by the presence of the skin herpes simplex virus on the surface of the skin. People with Lupus are prone to infections, which can result in serious complications, such as kidney infections, impotence, fatigue, nerve damage, and permanent organ damage. In addition to these health issues caused by excess inflammation, Lupus also affects the eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.