Arthritis is a widespread problem impacting millions of people in the world. It presents a daily challenge with symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints.
Moreover, different types of arthritis have various causes and symptoms. Some types result from wear and tear, while others are due to the immune system attacking the joints.
For example, rheumatoid arthritis affects the immune system and mistakenly attacks the body’s soft tissues. On the other hand, osteoarthritis results from wear and tear in joints.
Thus, it is vital to identify these differences to select the right treatment and continue with life changes that can keep symptoms under control.
This blog will discuss the most common types of arthritis, their causes, symptoms, and available treatment options to help you make informed health-related decisions.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is associated with joint inflammation, causing pain and stiffness. It can arise from many causes, such as old age, trauma, or abnormal immune system behavior.
For example, arthritis can result from the long-term stresses of heavy lifting on joints. The pain may range from mild to severe, restricting mobility and making the simplest routine activities difficult.
Furthermore, untreated arthritis may progress to severe joint problems. While there is no complete cure for arthritis, symptoms can be well-controlled with treatment and lifestyle changes. To keep muscles active, one should seek medical care with a rheumatologist who can help ease the pain in the patient’s joints and the entire body.
Types of Arthritis
Many kinds of arthritis affect humans. Each condition has its own cause and root to grow. So, we have curated a list of the commonly known kinds of arthritis to make you aware of them and help you begin timely treatment.
Osteoarthritis
It is one of the most common types of arthritis that affects the joints. It basically affects the protective cartilage of the joints, causing pain. It is also known as a wear and tear condition.
Mostly, elderly people are affected by this health condition due to aging, genetics, obesity, or injury. Research claims that over 32.5 million adults are affected by this health condition across the globe.
The common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Limited range motion
- Grating or crackling sounds from affected joints
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, visit an arthritis doctor. They will help you gain control in pain management, weight management, medications, and surgery if needed.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints.
The common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness in joints
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Inability to move
These symptoms can worsen with time, causing possible deformities in joints.
People of any age can develop RA, though it is more common in middle-aged females. A survey shows that over 1.3 billion adults are affected by this disease worldwide.
Though it is an irreversible condition, with proper treatment and consultation from the best rheumatologists in Katy, you can lead a simpler and healthier life.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a long-term, autoimmune disorder caused by the inflammation of joint structures associated with psoriasis, a skin disorder.
Some commonly known symptoms of this disease are:
- Swelling in fingers and toes
- Foot pain
- Lower back pain
- Nail changes
- Eye inflammation
Moreover, this condition can develop in anyone at any age. However, it usually occurs in adults with psoriasis.
Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and physical exercise can help relieve some symptoms. Furthermore, an early diagnosis is essential to slow down the advancement of the ailment and maintain better overall health for the joints and skin.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs due to extremely high uric acid levels in the blood and crystal formation in the joints. It usually affects the big toe. Gout flares may rise and subside with little or no warning and may last several days to weeks.
Commonly recognized symptoms of gout include:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Reddening
- Tenderness of joints.
Usually affects middle-aged males, except gout in females, which is are uncommon event with the added disturbing circumstance of menopause.
Good hydration, elimination of alcohol consumption, and a healthy body weight could help prevent immediate future gout attacks. Moreover, it can effectively help in managing the symptoms of the ones already existing.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that is recognized through persistent widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness occurring in muscles. Disorders of sleep and memory (brain fog) and mood changes may frequently accompany the syndrome.
Commonly known symptoms of this disease are:
- Widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Cognitive difficulties
- Anxiety
- Depression
The condition can affect anyone, but it is more common in middle-aged women.
A healthy lifestyle, such as a good diet and sleep, will aid with treatment. Even though there is no cure, good care with an improved quality of life causes reduced suffering.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes an existing immune system to attack tissues in the body. Thus, resulting in inflammation and damage to different organs. It mostly afflicts the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.
Common symptoms of lupus are:
- Joint pains
- Tiredness
- Butterfly-shaped skin rashes
- Fever
Moreover, the exact cause of lupus is unknown, but both genetics and environmental factors are involved. Most of those affected by lupus are women between the ages of 15 and 45.
While there is no cure for lupus, early diagnosis and proper treatment would help control flare-ups and enhance a person’s quality of life.
Other Types
Apart from these, there are several other forms of arthritis.
- Juvenile arthritis is a disorder in children that results in joint pain and swelling, and sometimes has effects on growth.
- Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine and results in stiffness and limited movement. Reactive arthritis occurs after infection, resulting in painful joints, eye symptoms, and urinary problems.
- Infectious arthritis is arthritis caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the joints and is characterized by extreme pain and swelling.
- Osteonecrosis occurs when the tissues of the bone die, primarily because they lack a good blood supply, which affects the functionality of the joints.
The treatment is not the same for everyone, but medication, physical therapy, and exercise are employed in managing pain and preventing any additional damage to the joints.
Symptoms and Differences Between Types of Arthritis
Let’s discuss the symptoms and key differences among each of the commonly known arthritis types.
| Type | Main Symptoms | Typical Joints Affected | Key Difference |
| Osteoarthritis | Pain, stiffness, and swelling | Knees, hips, and spine | Often, one or a few joints, wear and tear |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Pain, swelling, stiffness, morning stiffness, and fatigue | Hands, feet, and symmetrical | Autoimmune, multiple joints, systemic |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | Swollen joints, nail changes, and skin rashes | Fingers and toes | Linked to psoriasis, skin involvement |
| Gout | Sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling | Big toe and other joints | Uric acid crystals, episodic attacks |
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis for arthritis is executed by evaluating the patient’s medical history, physical examination, X-ray or MRI imaging, and laboratory tests.
Moreover, blood tests detect inflammation, autoimmune markers, and infections. At the same time, joint fluid analysis determines specific conditions like gout or infectious arthritis. Early diagnosis is important because it can prevent damage to joints and effectively manage symptoms.
Treatments can vary according to the type of arthritis but usually include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle modification, and in some severe cases, surgery. Below is an in-depth observation of the diagnosis and treatment for different types of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on physical examination and assessment of symptoms and imaging tests such as X-rays that reveal loss of cartilage and narrowing of joints. MRI scans could provide more detailed images in some cases.
Since OA is the result of wear and tear of the joint, treatment is towards managing pain and improving mobility. This is the role of the most common treatments: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, weight management, and joint-strengthening exercises.
Serious cases may require the patient to take corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections into the joint or undergo replacement surgery for long-term relief.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatologists mainly use blood tests. These tests look for signs of inflammation, such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies. They also use imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to check for damage in the joints.
Moreover, patients are treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) to slow progression, biologic drugs targeting most immune responses, corticosteroids as inflammation control, and physiotherapies to help maintain joint function.
Lifestyle changes like low-impact exercise and a balanced diet also help in the overall symptom control.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosis consists of determining the skin and nail examination, performing laboratory tests that exclude RA blood tests, and imaging to look for joint damage.
Treatment includes pain relief by NSAIDs, DMARDs to slow disease progression, and biological agents that target inflammation. Other aspects of the patient’s health such as skin care treatments for psoriasis symptoms, help in maintaining a healthy weight, and physical therapy.
Gout
Gout is diagnosed by uric acid measurements in blood tests and analysis of joint fluids, looking for urate crystals.
Treatment includes anti-inflammatories, colchicine, and uric acid reducers such as allopurinol. Flare-ups are prevented by dietary changes that include eating less purine-rich foods and drinking fluids to stay hydrated.
Fibromyalgia
There is no definitive test for fibromyalgia. It is diagnosed based on chronic widespread pain lasting more than three months and the absence of alternative conditions.
Treatment is with pain relievers, antidepressants, exercise therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and techniques to manage stress, for example, meditation.
Lupus
Diagnosis of lupus involves conducting ANA blood tests, kidney function tests, and imaging studies to check for organ damage. Doctors may also do urine tests to check for the health of the kidneys.
As lupus damages several organs, treatment consists of NSAIDs for pain relief, corticosteroids to cut down on inflammation, and immunosuppressants to inhibit the immune response.
Lifestyle changes such as sun protection, stress management, and a healthy diet can help alleviate symptoms. Regular follow-ups are crucial for monitoring the condition and preventing complications. Early detection and treatment improve quality of life and reduce flare-ups.
Get the Best Arthritis Treatment in Cypress, Katy, and Humble, Texas
Each type of arthritis has its causes and symptoms. Osteoarthritis is due to wear and tear in joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are autoimmune conditions. Psoriatic arthritis is connected to a skin disease, while gout is related to excess uric acid levels. Although arthritis doesn’t have a complete cure, an early diagnosis coupled with the right treatment may control the symptoms. Changes in lifestyle, medications, and therapies can help improve mobility and ease pain. Expert medical advice will help maintain good joint health and overall well-being.
If you are facing symptoms that are similar to any of these kinds of arthritis, then it is recommended to get arthritis treatment. Located in Humble, Cypress, and Katy, Texas, our team of doctors at Arthritis Clinic of Cypress and Katy is here to help you with personalized treatment plans.
Begin your healing journey at an early stage to have a better standard of living. Schedule an appointment at our arthritis clinic today!
Also Read: What does a Rheumatologist Do? — Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond
