When you hear the word arthritis you may automatically think of a condition that causes knee pain, hip pain or deformity in the toes and fingers. But there actually are more than 100 different forms of arthritis. They vary in severity and the types of symptoms they cause. Some affect children, others occur in young adults and some forms are primarily found in the elderly. There are some forms of arthritis that are more common.
Osteoarthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type. Your joints are spaces where the ends of bones meet. In between the bones is cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber. Osteoarthritis is a wearing away of this cartilage. This process happens with age, wear and tear and can be exaggerated by obesity. Osteoarthritis creates a situation in which bone rubs on bone. If this condition becomes severe, pieces of bone can come loose and float within the joint. The bones can also become deformed. All of these changes can cause pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. In some cases, this condition remains mild. For others, severe symptoms and disability can occur and may require surgery to replace the affected joint. OA usually occurs in the knees, hips, fingers, neck and lower back. The knuckles, wrists elbows, shoulders and ankles can also be involved, but this is usually the result of overusing the joint, versus normal wear and tear.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can happen at any age. It is an autoimmune disease, which means it occurs because your immune system mistakes your body for a foreign object and attacks it. It usually causes damage to the synovial lining in the joint. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. You may also experience fatigue, low-grade fever, unexplained weight loss and gastrointestinal problems. With RA, both sides of the body are usually equally affected. This differs from OA, in which only one side of the body may be involved. This disease may go through periods of remissions and flares and can range from mild to severe. It most commonly occurs in the small joints of the hands and feet. However, it can also affect the ankles, knees and back.
Gout
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gout is another common form of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid accumulates in the body. Uric crystals are deposited in various areas of the body, causing pain and inflammation. Like RA, gout may go through periods of flares and remissions. Gout can cause red, hot and swollen joints with debilitating pain. In some cases, it is the result of too much alcohol and fatty food consumption. The base of the big toe is the most common site for gout.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndromes
Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain, also falls under the category of arthritis. Along with the pain, you may develop extreme fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, inability to concentrate, rashes and circulatory problems. Fibromyalgia is still not well understood, and treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms as much as possible. Chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, tendinitis, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are all other forms of arthritis.
