Main Types Of Arthritis

The name arthritis refers to joint inflammation. The disease named arthritis describes more than a hundred diferent rheumatic conditions and diseases affecting bone joints, the tissues surrounding bone joints and other related tissue. The most common forms are :- Osteoarthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, and Fibromyalgia.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a disease causing errosion of cartilage and the bone structure within a joint as well as causing bony growths. The gradual breakdown of these body tissues causes to painfull joint stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are those in knees, hips, spine and nuckles and wrists. The specific causes of osteoarthritis are unknown, but are believed to be a result of both physical use and molecular development in the affected joints. The onset of this disease is gradual and mostly begins in middle age. There is currently no known complete cure for Osteoarthritis. Treatment for Osteoarthritis focuses on relieving pain symptoms and improving joint functions. Treatments usually include patient education foe self management and weight control, physical therapy and use of various medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease characterized by inflammation which affects the entire body and gets into a number of bone joints of the body concurrently. The inflammation mainly affects the lining of the joints called the synovial membrane, but can also affect other organs. The inflamed synovium leads to erosions of the bone cartilage and possibly joint deformations. Pain, swelling, and redness are common in the bone joints. Although the real causes are unclear, Rheumatoid Arthritis is thought to be a result of a bad immune system response. Rheumatoid Arthritis can begin at any age and symptoms include fatigue and a lengthy peroiod of stiffness after resting. In addition to medications and sometimes joint surgery, regular exercise and appropriate self care, do reduce the disability and pain caused by the disease. There is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but new pharmacuticals are increasingly being tried to treat the disease.

Gout

Gout is a rheumatic disease resulting from deposition of uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) in tissues and fluids within the body. This process is caused by an overproduction or under excretion of uric acid. Certain common medications and dietary foods are known to be contributory factors. Acute gout will typically manifest itself as an acutely red, hot, and swollen joint with excruciating pain. These acute gouty flare-ups respond well to treatment with oral anti-inflammatory medicines and may be prevented with medication and diet changes. Recurrent bouts of acute gout can lead to a degenerative form of arthritis called gouty arthritis.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to cells within the body leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage. The causes of SLE are unknown but are believed to be linked to genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. SLE may be characterized by periods of illness and remissions. SLE has a variety of clinical manifestations and can affect joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. People with SLE may experience fatigue, pain or swelling in joints, skin rashes, and fevers. SLE predominately affects women between the ages of 15 and 40 and blacks more than whites. A team approach in treating lupus if often warranted due to the number of organ systems involved.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome predominately characterized by muscular pains and fatigue. A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips; also may cause sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Arthritis in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed. It's associated with psoriasis, a skin disease. It can also affect the tendons where they attach to the bone.

Nearly all patients afflicted with psoriatic arthritis have swelling in joints outside the spine, and most of them have nail lesions. The course of psoriatic arthritis varies, with most people doing well with effective tretment. Symptoms include Silver or grey scales on the scalp, elbows, knees and/or lower end of the spine.