7 Common Types of Arthritis
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Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arthritis is a painful condition that affects millions of people. It may involve joint pain, swelling and stiffness as well as other symptoms. It’s a condition which can cause incredible discomfort. And it can alter the condition of one’s life significantly. To help get some insight into arthritis, below are 7 common types of arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
To put it simply arthritis is inflammation that surrounds the joints in the body. One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis which affects millions of people. There is more than 100 other types of arthritis but there are a few that are more prevalent than others.
‘Arthritis’ is a collective name for joints that have disease, degenerative, painful and are inflamed joints. In addition to the condition of the joints, arthritis reduces the quality of life.
Before you learn how to manage arthritis,it is useful to have a little understanding about the types of the types of arthritis. Below are seven most common types of arthritis that affect people worldwide.
Seven Main Arthritis Variants
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) share some of the current statistics for arthritis in Americans. Approximately 54 million people suffer from some form of arthritis. More that 24 million whom suffer with a lower quality of life due arthritis and arthritic pain and related issues.
When people lose their ability to be active and fully functional, arthritis is often physically and emotionally debilitating. Start understanding your variant of arthritis to manage it on your terms.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis aka (AS) is a debilitating type of arthritis which affects the spine. It commonly affects the lower spinal vertebrae that connects to the pelvic area.
To help understand the condition here is a brief explanation of how the condition got its name. Spondylitis means inflammation, and ankylosing is fused. When the tissue between the joints wears down, and the bones fuse it causes the joints to be immovable.
Over time, the inflammation around the discs wear down and fusing them into a non-functioning state. This condition may be referred to as bamboo spine. While men and women can suffer with type arthritic back issues arthritis is is commonly associated back issues with men. In addition is may be genetically inherited with the human leukocyte antigen B27 protein.
Having the B27 protein is not a guarantee that you’ll develop AS. And some patients will develop AS without any signs of the B27 genetic marker. AS like other types of arthritis can be caused by autoimmune dysfunction.
Gout (a More Common Type of Arthritis in Males)
Gout is more common than AS. Unlike many other common types of arthritis gout typically affects one joint at a time. And it often starts in the big toe. It’s caused by inflammation, or crystallization of high levels of uric acid. And though it may be less invasive (affecting a smaller area) than other types of arthritis, gout is may be extremely painful.
Some individuals have a temporary flare up of gout. However if there are repeated flare ups there is a chance that the condition has evolved into what is know as gouty arthritis.
One thing to understand about gout is that though it common it is one of the easiest arthritis conditions to manage and it can often be prevented. If you suspect gout talk to your Dr, and consider opting to make nutritional and lifestyle changes to treat gout naturally, and leave medication as a last resort.
Juvenile Arthritis the Common Types of Arthritis in Children
Juvenile arthritis is a broad-spectrum term used to cover arthritis in children and teens. Even babies can suffer from arthritis. Like many types of arthritis it is not fully understood but believed to be either genetic, the result of an injury, or inflammation from a some kind of autoimmune phenomenon.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is one one of the most common types of arthritis. It is degenerative in nature and often comes with age due to the wear and tear through life. It’s main targets are the hips, knees, and hands. Some of the contributing factors for developing osteoarthritis is overusing joints, sedentary behavior, old injuries, and obesity.
Age and gender also play a role, and genetics and ethnicity are also determining risk factors. Asian cultures have a lower risk of developing it. Fortunately, OA can be easily managed with a proactive lifestyle.
Psoriatic Arthritis – One of the Common Types of Arthritis Affecting the Skin
This type of arthritis typically affects the skin. It is similar to that of psoriasis. And not only is it painful, but is is embarrassing for people who suffer with psoriatic arthritis. It is not well understood especially by people who often don’t realize how an infection in the body or on the skin can impact their bone and tissue health.
Reactive Arthritis
This is another type of arthritis that develops after having an infection. It can occur after food poisoning or sexually transmitted infections. Reactive arthritis commonly affects the feet, hips, toes, ankles, and knees.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis and it can be one of the most painful and debilitating. Due to the effects this form of arthritis can take both a physical and emotional toll on those with the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the bodies natural defense attacks itself instead of defending it. This is why it is referred to as an autoimmune disorder.
In the early stages, people with RA may not see redness or swelling in the joints. But they may experience tenderness and pain.
These symptoms are clues to RA:
- Joint pain, tenderness, swelling or stiffness that lasts for six weeks or longer.
- Morning stiffness that can last for 30 minutes
- Affects more than one joint i
- Small joints (wrists, certain joints in the hands and feet) are typically affected first.
- Affects the same joints on both sides of the body
And not only does RA (symptoms) affect the hands and feet but it affects other joints as well as internal organs. Thankfully treatments options are improving, offering some relief to those who suffer with the condition.
Read about knee cushions to help ease knee pain.
Below is a few common questions regarding arthritis:
What Does Arthritis Pain Feel Like
People who suffer with arthritis will often describe the pain as a burning sensation in or around their joint(s). While others find it difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes the pain and stiffness is worse in the morning and get worse ease up, while the pain may come and go, or be a constant source of pain and stiffness.
People who suffer with arthritis often mistake their pain for stiffness. This is often a combination of pain, swelling and burning which results in the loss of mobility.
What Is the Most Common Types of Arthritis?
According to the CDC, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The second most common is gout, and the third is rheumatoid arthritis.
Concluding the 7 Common Types of Arthritis
Learning about the common types of arthritis and the pain you are experiencing is only a starting point. Learn about the symptoms, triggers and ways to manage it to improve your quality of life. And as always talk to your Dr and get a referral arthritis specialist such as a rheumatologist.