Arthritis: Foundation, Symptoms, Treatment, and More

The term arthritis itself refers to the inflammation or swelling of any joint (or joints) in our bodies. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis that affects the joints as well as other parts of the body.  It is considered as one of the most common long term (chronic) disorders and also one of the most common causes of disability.  About 46 million American adults have been reported to be suffering from some form of arthritis. Annually, about 19 million individuals suffer from limitations in physical activity due to arthritis.

Causes and Risk Factors

Our joints are shielded and covered by a variety of tissues to ensure their smooth functioning. Among these, the one known as cartilage, covers the joint surfaces and helps in smooth movement of the joint. Any abnormality or condition that affects the health of these tissues can result in arthritis.

A number of common factors associated with joint inflammation can include:

Bone fractures

Presence of autoimmune disorders (a condition where our body's immune/defense system attacks healthy cells instead of diseased ones)

Bacterial or viral infections

"Wear and tear" of the joints due to age or overuse (as in athletes)

These factors cause progressive cartilage and other tissue damage to a joint, resulting in arthritis if not identified and treated/corrected early.

Types

As mentioned prior, there are 100+ different types of arthritis.  These are generally associated with some underlying disorder that would have initiated the changes.  A few of the major types of arthritis include the following:

Osteoarthritis – most common type

Ankylosing spondylitis

Nongonococcal bacterial arthritis (arthritis associated with bacterial infections)

Arthritis associated with scleroderma

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis noted mostly in children)

Gout

Psoriatic arthritis (associated with a skin disorder known as psoriasis)

Rheumatoid arthritis (noted only in adults)

Gonococcal arthritis

Arthritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Reactive arthritis (commonly noted in a condition called Reiter syndrome)