The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in the U.S., 24% of all adults have some form of arthritis. Most people don’t know, however, that there are many types of arthritis, each with different symptoms and complications. To get the right treatment or make the needed lifestyle changes to diminish symptoms, it is crucial to understand what kind of arthritis you have.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 32.5 million adults in the United States. Its cause is the wear and tear of overused joints, usually appearing with age. In some cases, people with joint injuries or who are obese can also develop it. [2]
Osteoarthritis typically affects certain joints.
- Knees
- Feet
- Spine
- Hips
This type of arthritis appears gradually, sometimes over years, causing the joint to hurt. Osteoarthritis develops when the shock absorber that cushions your joints and cartilage breaks down. Once it does, your bones rub together, making movement painful. It is not uncommon for people to develop spurs on the end of bones.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
There are many symptoms that can warn that you may have osteoarthritis.
- Aching pain
- Pain when walking
- Stiffness after resting
- Joints are warm to the touch
- Reduced movement
Depending on the joint affected, you may experience difficulties dressing, standing up, walking, or performing other movements.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, especially the joints. This attack leads to inflammation, which can severely damage the joints if left untreated.
Some of the most common joints rheumatoid arthritis targets are those in the hands, knees, and wrists. One out of five people with rheumatoid arthritis develop lumps on their skin over the affected joint, called rheumatoid nodules. [3]
Although the cause of this type of arthritis is still not entirely clear, experts believe the immune system gets confused after an infection and begins to attack healthy cells.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms can appear gradually or all at once. Most of the time, they are more severe than osteoarthritis symptoms.
- Pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints
- More than one affected joint
- Morning stiffness
- Symmetrical inflammation
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
It is important to note that women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Those who have this type of arthritis have inflammation of their skin and joints. Psoriasis is a condition that causes patches of red and white inflamed skin. These patches also tend to be scaly. Most commonly, it affects the tips of the elbows or knees, the navel, the scalp, the genital areas, and the anus.
Anywhere from 10% to 30% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. [4]
Psoriatic arthritis usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50, but some children can also develop it. Most of the time, psoriasis appears first, leading to the arthritis. It can affect any number of joints at the same time. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition that can get worse over time.
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
The symptoms of this kind of arthritis can range from mild to severe.
- Swollen toes and fingers
- Pitted and discolored nails
- Foot pain
- Lower back pain
- Eye inflammation
Many times, the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis, though they can be less severe.
Gout
Gout is a condition when uric acid crystals build up in a joint. It is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that can be very painful. People can experience gout flares periodically, but the more of these flares you experience, the likelier you are to develop gouty arthritis.
Many factors can trigger a gout flare, including stress, drugs, and other illnesses. For most people, a gout flare lasts three to ten days, even if it is not treated. If gout flares continue without treatment, it can affect your kidneys and joints.
There are a few causes of gout. These include eating foods that raise uric acid levels, having other conditions that force your body to create more uric acid, and your body suddenly being unable to process the uric acid it makes.
Symptoms of Gout
Gout symptoms always come on quickly, and they can include a few different ones.
- Intense pain
- Swelling of the joints
- Reddened joints
- Joint stiffness
The most common joints that gout affects are those in the big toe, the knee, and the ankle.
Lupus
Like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus is also an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation. It can affect your joints as well as your organs.
The cause of lupus is unclear, but it is a condition in which your immune system no longer works correctly. It doesn’t attack viruses and other invaders but targets your healthy cells, joints, organs, and brain.
Lupus affects women more than men, and it usually appears between the ages of 15 and 44.
Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus cases vary. Some people experience symptoms with gradual onsets, while others deal with symptoms that appear all at once. But, there are some common signs of lupus.
- Fatigue
- Swollen joints
- Headaches
- Rashes
- Mouth sores
- Hair loss
- Sun sensitivity
- Swelling in the feet, legs, hands, or around the eyes
- Anemia
- Chest pain
Some people also develop white or blue fingertips and toe tips when they experience cold.
Understanding Arthritis
By knowing what type of arthritis you have and what symptoms to expect, you can find a professional who can help you get the right treatments. With all of the medical advances that appear almost daily, you can get relief for whatever type of arthritis you experience.
References
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htm
[2] https://oaaction.unc.edu/oa-module/oa-prevalence-and-burden/