Arthritis is a broad term that encompasses more than 100 different conditions affecting the joints, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. It is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, though it is more prevalent among older adults. The impact of arthritis on daily life can be significant, making understanding its types, symptoms, and management crucial for those affected.

Types of Arthritis

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but other types include gout, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus.

1. Osteoarthritis (OA): Often referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, OA occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. It typically affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, particularly the synovium (the lining of the membranes that surround the joints). This leads to inflammation, swelling, and can eventually cause joint deformity.

3. Gout: This type of arthritis is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in the joint, due to high levels of uric acid in the blood.

4. Psoriatic Arthritis: This form of arthritis affects some people with psoriasis, a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main symptoms.

5. Lupus: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and damage to various body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type, but common signs and symptoms include:

• Joint Pain: Persistent or intermittent pain in the joints.
• Stiffness: Particularly noticeable in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
• Swelling: In and around the joints.
• Redness: Especially in cases of RA and gout.
• Decreased Range of Motion: Difficulty moving joints or performing certain activities.
• Fatigue: Common in autoimmune forms of arthritis like RA and lupus.
• Fever: Sometimes associated with inflammatory arthritis.

Diagnosis of Arthritis

Diagnosing arthritis involves a combination of methods:

• Medical History and Physical Examination: A doctor will review symptoms, medical history, and perform a physical exam to check for swollen joints or limited range of motion.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays, MRI, and ultrasound can help visualize the extent of joint damage.
• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests can help diagnose types of arthritis. For example, rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies are markers for RA, while uric acid levels are measured for gout.
• Joint Fluid Analysis: Extracting and analyzing fluid from an inflamed joint can help determine the cause of inflammation.