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What is Arthritis? What Are The 5 Types of Arthritis?

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis can be defined as swelling, pain, stiffness, and tenderness in one or more joints. There are more than a hundred kinds of different arthritis identified in the world, most of which are related to joint pain in the legs and knee. Joint pain can be defined as a place where 2 or more bones meet. Arthritis is known to get worsen with age.

What are the 5 Main Types of Arthritis Commonly Found in People?

1. Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is caused due to the malfunction or failure of the cartilage covering the ends of your joints, i.e. there’s no cushion and the bones start grinding against each other. In simple terms, you lose your body’s shock absorber.

The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are severe pain and a grinding, popping, or clicking sound while you move your joints. It mainly happens when your joints are overused. Joint injuries, obesity or overweight, and old age are a few of the typical reasons for osteoarthritis.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which means the parts of the body especially the joints are attacked by the immune system which leads to inflammation and severe joint pain. Blood checks can reveal an RA marker, confirming your doctor’s suspicions. The important symptoms of RA are joint ache and swelling to the point of physical deformity. All affected joints are usually on the same side of the body.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis:

Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an autoimmune skin condition typically seen in people who’ve psoriasis. Psoriasis causes patchy, raised, red, and white areas of skin in the form of skin inflammation with scales often around the joints. Pain in the lower back, feet, ankles, and toes or fingers are the main signs of Psoriatic arthritis.

4. Fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia typically causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. Around 10-20% of humans with Rheumatoid arthritis also have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by tiredness, depression, fatigue, memory, and mood issues. Fibromyalgia is treated using both medication and self-care strategies like meditation, yoga, etc. Podiatrists nowadays use pain management compounding medication to treat foot and joint pain, as it allows them to prepare customized medication and dosage for their patients.

5. Gout:

Gouty arthritis is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joint. The pain normally starts in the toe from where the pain spreads and moves up into the foot and ankle joint. People suffering from Gouty arthritis often wake up at night with immense pain as the toe is pushed out of position by the rapid swelling. Gout happens when your body makes more uric acid and your kidney cannot process that much uric acid all at once. Eating certain food and drink can raise uric acid levels in the body.

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