Common Arthritis Types
There are three general types of arthritis that afflict people most often.
1) Osteoarthritis – This condition results from the wear and tear of overusing certain joints. This can be a function of age and activity or can be the result, obesity stressing the joints or a prior injury. The cartilage wears away at the end of the bones in this form, making movement painful as the cushion retreats.
2) Rheumatoid arthritis – The immune system starts attacking the joints, leading to inflammation and joint damage in the knuckles, elbows or heels. Doctors don’t know what causes the onset and believe it may be tied to a breakdown in the body’s immune system.
3) Psoriatic arthritis – This is an inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) as well as the joints (arthritis). Patchy, red, scaly sections of skin on the elbows and knees are the manifestation of this form of arthritis, which can start as early as age 30 and sometimes appears in childhood. This form can swell the fingers and toes and affect the fingernails or toenails as well.
Who Gets Arthritis?
There are risk factors for who might acquire arthritis symptoms. While they can arrive gradually or suddenly at any time, there are the groupings that seem most affected.
1) Those with a family history of arthritis – Many types of arthritis seem to run in families, making it likely that damaged genes are passed along. That doesn’t mean that every family member is doomed to have it, just that they have increased odds thanks to their genetic predisposition, and some siblings may have the disease while others do not.
2) Age – The older you get, the more likely the aches and pains will occur, and a sedentary lifestyle exacerbates the condition.