Arthritis Types: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, etc.
There are many types of arthritis (over a hundred). Here are the most common ones:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
This disease is the most commonly found kind of arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the cartilage along with the underlying bone, which causes joint stiffness and acute pain. While any joints can be affected, most often they are located in the hips, knees, spine and hands. It’s not known for sure what causes osteoarthritis, but it’s suggested the joint is affected by both molecular and mechanical events taking place. The most typical age is after 40, and the onset is gradual. No cure for osteoarthritis has been found, but the patient has to receive adequate treatment to deal with the symptoms. Arthritis therapy includes the patient’s education, drugs and weight control.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis can be defined as a systemic disease that involves inflammation of multiple joints. The lining of the joints gets affected by the disease, which then can spread to other organs. The synovial membrane (the joint lining) causes cartilage and bone erosion, which leads to the deformation of the bone. The patient experiences symptoms, such as redness, swelling and pain in the joints affected. Suggestions have been made that rheumatoid arthritis may be connected with the impaired immune response. This disease can happen at any age and the patient usually displays stiffness of the joints after resting, as well as fatigue. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but it is successfully treated, helping the patients to relieve pain and keep the disease under control.
Gout
Gout is another form of arthritis caused by deposition of uric acid crystals (because of its insufficient or excessive production and excretion) in the tissues and fluids of the body. Gout is characterized by sudden burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, warmth and abnormal stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs commonly in men in their toes but can appear in other parts of the body; women cal also be affected sometimes. This condition usually responds to the adequate treatment involving diet modification and anti-inflammatory drugs. Gouty arthritis is a degenerative form of this disease that happens because of recurrent bouts of gout; it’s characterized by sudden and acute pain in the joints.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a disorder characterized by the production of antibodies by the immune system, which leads to tissue damage and spreading inflammation. It’s not known exactly what this condition is caused by, but it is probably the combination of hormonal, genetic and environmental factors. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can display periods of exacerbation and remission. The most common symptoms are affected joints and lungs, as well as blood vessels, skin, brain and kidneys. Patients often experience swollen joints, skin rash, fever and fatigue.
Fibromyalgia
This syndrome is characterized by fatigue, presence of chronic widespread pain and a heightened or painful response to gentle touch. It’s not known exactly what this condition is caused by but it has been suggested that physical and emotional stressors may contribute to it. Genetic predisposition is also thought to be one of the factors. It’s difficult to diagnose this disease, as its symptoms often coincide with those of other illnesses, and no accurate tests have been developed yet. Patients with this syndrome are recommended to go through a therapy, take medications and do special exercises that have been reported to help.
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