Over 18 crore Indians are suffering from arthritis, which is close to 1 in every 5 individuals. It is a condition that targets one or several joints in your body. There is no concreate proof indicating a proven reason for arthritis. Some of the probable causes could be general wear & tear, age, previous injuries, or body’s immune system attacking the joints by mistake. The common areas where arthritis attacks are ankles, knees, hips, feet, wrists, hands, lower back, and shoulders.
Let's understand different types of arthritis in detail to know more.
1) Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs primarily due to wear & tear of joints, age, injuries, or due to obesity. Hips, feet, and spine are the most affected areas. The symptoms might take some time to show, ideally ranging between a few months to a couple of years later. When you suffer from osteoarthritis, your body loses its natural shock absorber: the cartilage tissue. It breaks down and gets damaged causing constant friction between bones and tremendous pain.
Symptoms
- Aching, deep pain
- Morning stiffness and pain in 1 or more joints that typically lasts less than 30 minutes
- Stiff joints after resting (when you start moving after staying stationery at a single position for long)
- Constant joint pain whenever you walk
- Facing trouble bending over, gripping things, climbing stairs, & squatting
2) Rheumatoid
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In this condition, our body’s immune system attacks our own cells, specifically joints, by considering it as a threat. The constant attack on joints leads to inflammation and severe joint damage. This condition cannot be reversed. There are ways to manage it and live with rheumatoid arthritis with the help of medication and lifestyle changes. Experts around the world believe these chemicals to cause inflammation - tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1.
Symptoms
- Severe joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in your wrists, hands, knees, elbows, feet, ankles, neck, and jaw. It attacks multiple joints at a single time and is considered to be a chronic condition.
- Joint issues in symmetrical pattern where if you feel that your left knuckles hurt, you will experience pain in the other knuckle too. Similarly, it may attack other joints as well.
- Swelling in more than 1 joint primarily hands, feet, or wrists.
- Joint stiffness early in the morning which lasts for a few hours or most of the day. Low appetite and fatigue are the other common symptoms that you might notice.
3) Psoriatic
Psoriatic arthritis is a symptom among those individuals who have a pre-existing inflammation of the skin (psoriasis). It usually causes raised areas of white and red inflamed skin which is covered with scales. The condition begins from age 30 to 50. It can be further divided into 5 types: Distal interphalangeal predominant (affects fingers and toes), Symmetric polyarthritis (affects vertebrae of the spine), Spondylitis (affects same joints of the body), Asymmetric oligoarticular (affects multiple joints at the same time), and Arthritis mutilans (affects mobility by affecting hands and feet joints).
Symptoms
- Swelling in toes and fingers
- Discolored fingernails with patches
4) Gout
Gout arthritis primarily targets the big toe or another part of your feet. If you too are wondering, “why arthritis occur in gout?” It is due to build up of uric acid crystals in a joint. Stress, drugs, or other illnesses can trigger a gout attack on your body which can lasts anywhere between 3 to 10 days. When left unattended or untreated, it can affect your joints and kidneys.
Symptoms
- Severe joint troubles
- Inflamed joints
- Stiff joints and bones
- Constant joint discomfort
5) Lupus
Lupus is another form of autoimmune disease. It is also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that affects joints and many other organs in the body. In this condition, our body, instead of attacking bacteria and viruses, starts targeting our own cells and causes pain & inflammation throughout the joints.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Painful, swollen joints
- Sun sensitivity
- Swelling in the feet, legs, hands, or around the eyes
- Rashes
- Mouth sores
- Chest pain due to inflammation of the lining of the lungs or heart
- Hair loss
- White or blue fingers or toes when exposed to cold (Raynaud's phenomenon)
- Blood disorders, such as anemia
6) Juvenile
Juvenile arthritis is commonly observed in children under the age of 16. It tends to cause persistent joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. The symptoms vary from a few months to a couple of years. If left untreated, juvenile arthritis can lead to complications such as joint damage, growth problems, and eye inflammation.
Symptoms
- Swelling
- Pain
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen lymph nodes and rash
7) Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is also widely renowned as axial spondyloarthritis. It is a condition where some of the vertebrae in the spine are fused together. This affects your flexibility and leads to a hunched posture. There is no existing cure for this condition. One can exercise and make lifestyle changes to manage arthritis effectively.
Symptoms
- Joint issue between pelvis and the base of the spine
- Joint issue in the lower back vertebrae
- Joint issue between the ribs and breastbone
- Joint issue between shoulder joints and hips
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, Gout, Lupus, Juvenile, and Ankylosing spondylitis are the 7 types of arthritis that are common. The cure for arthritis is still not found, however, there are ways to manage it and live with it. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, lifestyle changes, or even surgery are some widely followed practices. The best way to tackle arthritis is with proactiveness. As soon as you witness any of the symptoms, get yourself checked immediately and consult a doctor to get ahead of the condition.
FAQs on Types of Arthritis
1) How many types of arthritis are there?
There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The most common ones are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, Gout, Lupus, Juvenile, and Ankylosing spondylitis.
2) Which type of arthritis is most common in India?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in India.
3) Can someone have more than one type of arthritis?
Yes, it is possible to get affected by more than one type of arthritis.
4) What’s the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused due to wear and tear of cartilage while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
