Understanding Arthritis and Its Different Forms

Common Types of Arthritis

1. Psoriatic arthritis

This is a condition where psoriasis and arthritis impact together in which you experience intense pain in joints, including areas such as your fingernails. Psoriasis shows up first, followed by arthritis and in the former, your skin begins to discolour and peel off. Only 10% to 30% of the patients affected by psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

This is one of the most common types of arthritis which is caused by an overactive immune system. The immune system attacks the joints, leading to excessive swelling and pain. The onset of RA is often sudden or it may happen gradually, over the years.

3. Osteoarthritis

This is the most common type of arthritis in which bones and joints suffer mainly due to wear and tear. As the joint cartilages begin to break down over time, it leads to severe pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The joints most commonly affected are knees, hips and hands and it is commonly seen in older women. This is a serious disorder affecting the person’s ability to perform daily chores.

4. Gout

This is a form of arthritis that affects one joint at a time, most commonly the big toe on your foot. It is extremely painful and hampers the ability to walk or even stand properly as it there is extensive swelling and pain. Gout attack happens for a while and recedes and then come back again. Continuous gout attacks lead to gouty arthritis, which is one of the most severe forms of arthritis. While there is no cure for gout yet, but the symptoms can be managed by remedies to control pain and also reduce the attack frequency.

5. Lupus

This is an autoimmune disorder and can happen to anyone, but most commonly happens to young women between the ages of 16 and 45. It is a highly uncomfortable as there is pain, inflammation, stiffness, fatigue, headache, hair loss, loss of appetite, imbalance of minerals in the blood, etc. There is no cure for lupus, but symptoms of lupus can be managed with medications.