Different forms of arthritis manifest different symptoms. Common symptoms of arthritis include: persistent joint pain; tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement; inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth; pain and stiffness in the body, especially around the joints; joint deformity; loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint; unexplained weight loss; non-specific fever; and crepitus (weird crackling sound in the joints.)

There are over 100 different types of arthritis affecting approximately 46 million Americans today. The three most common types are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Osteoarthritis is more commonly known as degenerative arthritis. This develops from a simple breakdown in the cartilage cushioning the joints, and may lead to an eventual loss of cartilages in one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein-based mass that serves as cushioning between the joints. This type of arthritis usually attacks weight-bearing joints such as the hands, feet, and spine. It is mostly related to aging and it usually progresses further as we age. It generally occurs in the age range of 45-60. Men are at higher risk for osteoarthritis before age 45. Women, however, are more prone to it around age 55 specifically around the hand, foot and knee joints. Severe cases of degenerative arthritis require total joint replacement, mostly of the hip and knee joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect different joints, and as previously mentioned, it may affect some body organs and even our blood. It mainly affects the synovial lining of the joint. The synovium is a soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can be developed as a secondary effect of an infection. In this case, the body’s autoimmune system malfunctions and attacks healthy joint tissue, causing inflammation and joint damage. Although it is not as degenerative as osteoarthritis, it may cause joint deformity in a mild level.

Gout is caused by displacement of uric acid crystal in the joints. Also known as hyperuricemia, which literally translates as high uric acid content in the blood, it is a metabolic ailment wherein uric acid builds up in the blood and crystallizes in the joints of the body. Chronic gout attacks may lead to hard lumps of uric acid deposits around the joints, and in the process decrease kidney functions and form kidney stones.

There are different kinds of treatment for the different forms of arthritis. There are medications available that aid in arthritis pain relief. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as relieve pain and decrease inflammation on affected areas. They have to be paired with constant visits to a physical or occupational therapist to ensure that mobility and range of motion is maintained.

Arthritis isn’t just a simple joint pain that we can disregard. The pain alone is difficult to ignore, let alone the complications it will bring if it remains untreated. Nobody is safe from developing arthritis as there are forms that have yet to be defined. The bottom line is, take care of your body – be mindful of your diet and exercise consistently. This alone will greatly reduce your chances of developing this distressing condition.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both have different causes. When joints are overused or injured, osteoarthritis can develop. The cartilage protecting and cushioning the joint wears away, resulting in the bones rubbing painfully against each other. This seems to be more common in the knees, but is also found in the hips, spine and hands. By the time pain is felt, a lot of the cartilage will already have been worn away.

The second type, rheumatoid arthritis, is caused by 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. It then advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.

Symptoms of RA include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. Both OA and RA generally develop symmetrically, i.e. the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body are affected.

One difference between OA and RA is the swelling which these conditions cause. With RA, people report “soft and squishy” swellings. People suffering from OA report “hard and bony” swellings. Another difference is that RA appears to be hereditary- a person is more likely to develop RA if a sibling or parent had the condition. A person with a history of joint damage, either through injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk of developing OA.

There is no specific age for arthritis to occur. 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 OA cases (or just over 15 million) are women. People with excess weight tend to be at risk of developing OA in later life, especially in the knees which support most of the body’s weight. Losing weight can reduce the risk of developing OA almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.

Other Conditions That Can Cause Pain
Pain and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be caused by many other conditions. Even if injury or infection can be ruled out, anything from bunions to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome can cause pain.

Only a medical professional can identify many sources of joint pain, because similar symptoms can result from other autoimmune diseases, including cancer or other forms of arthritis.

The Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not fully understood, but important contributing factors have been identified. The self-destructive immune response of rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger. Changing hormones also may play an important part in the disease, possibly in response to an infection from the environment.

More than one gene has been linked to risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Specific genes may increase a person’s chance of developing the disease, and also could partially determine how serious his or her condition is. However, since not all people with a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis actually have the disease, other factors must be important.

A specific environmental trigger has not yet been found, but some research suggests that infection by a virus or bacterium can lead to rheumatoid arthritis in genetically susceptible people. This does not mean that rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. People with rheumatoid arthritis appear to have more antibodies in the synovial fluid in their joints, suggesting that there may be have been an infection.

Low levels of hormones from the adrenal gland are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but how hormones interact with environmental and genetic factors is unknown. Hormone changes may contribute to the progression of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand, but can also affect joints in the feet and throughout the body. Anyone can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but women are more likely to develop symptoms. These most often begin between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet understood, but many effective strategies have been developed to manage the symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Signs
The main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is joint stiffness in the morning, often in the hands or feet. Stiffness that persists for an hour or more, or swelling and pain that lasts for more than six weeks, may be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis. Joint discomfort is typically symmetrical, i.e. both hands will hurt or feel stiff, not just one. Early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms also may include fever, excessive tiredness, or pea-sized lumps called “nodules” that can be felt under the skin.

Other possible rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include anemia, appetite loss and the accumulation of fluid in the ankles or behind the knee. In children, symptoms may include shaking chills and a pink rash which may follow the characteristic painful and swollen joints.

You may experience stiffness or pain in one or more of your joints. You will usually experience this pain in the neck, knees, fingers or hips, but your toes and elbows can also become affected. This stiffness or pain may be more apparent on waking or after sitting for long periods of time. As the joints naturally loosen with use, the pain may ease during the day, but may return in the evening.

The joints may become hot or swollen, and in the event of Osteoporosis bony growths may develop, usually on the knuckles.

As the condition progresses, every day activities such as opening bottles, turning taps or even walking can become affected. Activity can aggravate pain and swelling, and sleep can be disturbed. The pain and stiffness may limit the range of motion in the affected joint.

Some people experience other symptoms such as general tiredness or exhaustion, or unexplained fever. Most forms of arthritis tend to develop after the age of 40, although the condition can develop earlier.

As arthritis is a progressive condition, these symptoms are likely to worsen over time. If you do experience one or more of these symptoms consistently, visit your doctor for a possible diagnosis.

It is possible to identify Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its early stages if you learn how to recognise the common symptoms of this condition. RA usually starts with one or more symptoms which can change over time with its progression.

RA often starts in middle age, but can also develop in younger people and even children. It causes inflammation of the joint linings (synovium), which results in excessive joint fluid being produced, causing stiffness, pain, characteristic swelling and loss of joint function. In worse cases, it can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart and surrounding blood vessels. RA can also cause the glands around the mouth and eyes to become inflamed, causing dryness- this is known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

RA can be notoriously difficult to diagnose as symptoms can differ from one person to the other, and can mimic other health conditions such as fibromyalgia. The full range of symptoms which may be experienced tend to develop over a period of time. The most common symptoms to be aware of are;

Joint pain which may come and go; joint stiffness, especially on waking or after a prolonged period of rest; swelling to the soft tissue areas of the joint and unusual feelings of warmth or redness in the joints. Sufferers may also experience feelings of fatigue. One symptom that appears to be typical of RA is joint symmetry pain- that is, if symptoms occur in one of the joints on one side of the body, the same symptoms may occur in the corresponding joint on the other side of the body.

Joints most likely to be affected are those in the hands, fingers and wrists, but RA can attack any joints in the body. As the condition advances, sufferers can develop hard, tender lumps under the skin, known as arthritic nodules. These can vary in size but are not usually painful, although they can occasionally become infected.

If you suspect you may have RA, see your doctor in the first instance. He may refer you for tests and x-rays to diagnose the condition and determine the extent of its progression. Although there is no cure for RA at present, there are a variety of different treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and inflammation, and slow the rate of joint damage. Although it is classed as a chronic condition, symptoms can vary in severity and can come and go, with many people experiencing periods of remission when they are relatively symptom free.

With the right treatment, there is no reason why RA sufferers cannot continue to follow a full and active lifestyle.