Arthritis signals people in a variety of ways. Joints may be become stiff and creak. All of a sudden joints might crack, like knees upon standing. Maybe pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar.
Types Of Arthritic
The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Although both have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to the body’s immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, this condition most often starts in a person’s hands, wrists and feet. Then it advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when joints are overused and misused. What happens is that when the joints are overused or misused, the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, which results in the bones rubbing together.
This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands often, too. And only in later stages will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.
Other Main Types Of Arthritis
After osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three other major types of arthritis are systemic lupus erythematosis, ankylosing spondylitis and gout. Let’s take a look at each.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)
This form of arthritis mainly affects women. It develops in the skin, internal organs and joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This form or arthritis affects the spine and can also affect the ankles, knees, lungs, heart, shoulders and eyes.
Gout
This is a painful affliction mainly for men, about one million of them in the United States alone. Uric acid build up, due to an internal chemical malfunction, forms crystals that get stuck in a joint, generally the big toe, and become inflamed.
Causes Of Arthritis
There is no particular age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every age group, it seems to focus on those over 45 years of age. And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of osteoarthritis cases occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of rheumatoid arthritis cases occur with women.
In general osteoarthritis is found in people with excess weight, especially in the knees when they reach over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.
Arthritic joints can be affected with inflammation when bacteria or a virus enters the joint area or when an injury occurs. What happens is when foreign matter enters this area or the area sustains injury, white blood cells, antibodies and other natural “fighting” mechanisms automatically kick in internally to help. These fighters cause swelling, redness and heat as the body fluid moves around.
Symptoms Of Arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, redness, swelling tender joints, slight fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis generally develop proportionately, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.
Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
The main difference between and osteoarthritis is swelling. A rheumatoid arthritis will have soft and squishy swelling, where as in osteoarthritis, people report “hard and bony” swelling.
Another difference is that a person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. A person is more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis if a sibling or parent had it.
Arthritis Treatment
Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of arthritis pain relief treatment plans. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful arthritis treatment options and alternatives, the four main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude and rest.
