The variations have degrees of severity and location of the symptoms, but some can even attack the immune system and internal organs. This can lead to severe complications and even may contribute to internal organ damage and eventual death.
It is estimated that more than 50 million American adults older than age 18 have self-reported or doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Of those, close to half of those older than 65 reported some symptoms of the disease, with more than 30 percent of those 45 to 64 years of age and more than 7 percent of those younger than age 44 reporting arthritis troubles. More women than men have arthritis issues, while Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have the lowest incidents.
Here are the most common forms of arthritis.
Fibromyalgia - One of the most debilitating forms of arthritis is fibromyalgia, which causes severe pain, fatigue, sleeping disturbances and often severe mental depression. Its symptoms are wide, including morning stiffness, numb hands and feet, migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, problems focusing and foggy thinking, very painful menstrual periods, and other unspecified but no less daunting aches and pains. More than 5 million adults have this diagnosed condition, with slightly more women than men suffering from it. Most sufferers experience the onset of the disease when they hit middle age, and the likelihood of its appearance increases with age. Although the cause is still unknown, fibromyalgia appears to be triggered by stress, repetitive injuries, genetic background, obesity and viral infections.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) – This is an umbrella term for conditions that occur in children who have chronic arthritis. It includes polyarthritis rheumatoid factor positive, systemic, polyarthritis rheumatoid factor negative, psoriatic arthritis, oligoarthritis, undifferentiated arthritis, and enteritis-related arthritis. Because there are so many potential categorizations, estimating the total number of cases is difficult, but it is believed to be between 70,000 and 100,000 in the United States.
Osteoarthritis – This is the most common form of arthritis, which typically happens to older people whose bodies have been stressed and strained over the years by work, but also can be caused by obesity or joint injuries. The hips, knees, spine and feet are the typical locations for this form of the disease, which arrives gradually and causes pain. It usually is not accompanied by fatigue or other issues.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Sometimes called by its initials, RA, this happens when the immune system attacks certain areas, mostly the joints. The result is severe inflammation and joint damage, which can result in skin lumps called rheumatoid nodules. These are often found on the elbows, heels or over the knuckles. Researchers still do not know the cause, but feel that the immune system is compromised by a virus or infectious bacteria that starts in the joints and then spreads. Swelling in the afflicted areas and severe pain in those locations is the consequence, and it makes daily life hard, as walking, driving, working and even opening a jar become difficult.
Psoriatic Arthritis – As the name implies, the patchy, red and white, scaly skin condition known as psoriasis plays a prominent role in those who have this condition. The tips of elbows and knees can stiffen and develop the skin condition. However, there is no tie-in between regular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Having the skin condition does not mean you will develop psoriatic arthritis. This form of the disease usually occurs after age 30 and is equally found in men and women. It is usually localized and having it one knee, elbow or finger is not uncommon.
Metabolic Arthritis – Commonly called gout, this condition occurs when the body is unable to shed enough uric acid naturally. Crystals start to form in the joints, resulting in a gout attack. It is extremely painful, so much so that even the light touch of a bed sheet can be unbearable. It usually attacks the toes, but also can reach the knees and fingers. Unless treated by drugs that will reduce the levels, attacks can become more frequent, causing ongoing pain.
Two Categories of Arthritis
Arthritis falls into two categories: doctor-diagnosed conditions, which involve a formal evaluation and specific identification of the type of the affliction, and self-evaluation, usually done by people who suffer from stiffness and achy joints prevalent in the most common forms of the disease -- rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia.
One way to stop arthritis is to maintain a healthy weight and exercise. Most non-inflammatory cases of arthritis are manageable with pain medication and more activity in the form of exercise. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, anti-inflammatory medications (including corticosteroids and nonsteroidal drugs) are recommended, along with anti-rheumatic drugs (known as DMARDs) and biologics, a new form of arthritis treatment.
Although arthritis can be debilitating, many people manage to live productive lives with the condition and manage its pain and associated problems. It is best managed under a doctor’s expert diagnosis, which, through a series of tests, can pinpoint the issue and prescribe the proper medications and lifestyle changes.
Some conditions can be managed, while others may require surgery, including joint replacement in the most severe cases. Doctors also can monitor the condition and diagnose any additional problems if the disease spreads, recommending specialists who can assist in halting the disease's spread.