...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!
Types of Arthritis: Did you know there is more than one type of arthritis? In fact, there are more than 150 types of arthritis, a condition that affects more than 46 million U.S. adults -- a number that's expected to swell to 67 million adults by the year 2030.
... below is a list of the 10 most common types
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, especially among older people. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a disease found mainly in males. This disease is characterized by an abnormal growth of bone cells where the ligaments attach to the bones, causing the ligaments to become boney. Eventually AS may result in fusion of the bones in the spine, hips, shoulder, hands, knees, and the rib cage.
Mixed-Connective Tissue Disease an extremely variable condition that may involve a combination of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and a skin disorder. Symptoms of mixed-connective tissue disease vary widely.
Psoriatic Arthritis more prevalent in men than women. Psoriatic arthritis involves inflammation and fusion of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back, and is also characterized by scaly skin and pitting of the fingernails.
Juvenile Arthritis typically involves the joints, internal organs, and even the eyes. The course of the disease is quite predictable, and the outlook for recovery is exceptionally bright. In fact, juvenile arthritis usually goes into remission once the patient enters adulthood. The greatest challenge is to prevent permanent damage to the body while the disease is active.
Fibromyalgia is primarily characterized as a condition of muscle pain and inflammation, and fatigue. Fibromyalgia does not directly involve the joints: there is no joint inflammation or degeneration.
Gout Gout is caused by an overproduction of uric acid or a reduced ability of the kidney to get rid of uric acid. The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in males, postmenopausal women, and people with high blood pressure. Heavy alcohol use, diabetes, obesity, sickle cell anemia, and kidney disease also increase the risk. The condition may also develop in people who take drugs that interfere with uric acid excretion.
Scleroderma The cause of scleroderma is unknown. Persons with this condition have a build up of a substance called collagen in the skin and other organs. This build up leads to the symptoms associated with the disease. The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old. Women are affected more often than men.
Reiter's Syndrome or reactive arthritis. The exact cause of reactive arthritis is unknown. It occurs most commonly in men before the age of 40. It may follow an infection with chlamydia, campylobacter, salmonella, or yersinia. Certain genes may make you more prone to the syndrome. The disorder is rare in younger children, but may occur in adolescents.
