Arthritis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

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What is arthritis & how is it treated?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that may affect one joint or multiple joints. The symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods.

What are the different types of arthritis?

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.

What does arthritis mean?

Arthritis means inflammation of joints. Arthritis is very common. There are many causes of arthritis. Children and adults of all ages can be affected by arthritis, although the most common type is osteoarthritis and that affects older people. It is also more common in women than it is in men.

What are the causes of arthritis?

Each cause of arthritis tends to have a typical pattern in terms of which joints are affected and the age of people most likely to be affected. A joint is situated where two bones meet. Joints allow movement and flexibility of various parts of the body. The movement of the bones is caused by muscles which pull on tendons that are attached to bone.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down.

How does arthritis affect the body?

Arthritis can also cause permanent joint changes. These may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can be seen only on X-rays. Some types of arthritis affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common type of arthritis.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It is what is known as an auto-immune condition. The immune system is the body’s natural self-defence system, and it protects us from infections and illness.

What Is Arthritis

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
3. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/conditions/arthritis
4. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis

Arthritis Information

1. https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/
2. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/arthritis/
3. https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/arthritis
4. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis/basics/symptoms-causes