Introduction

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Many different forms of arthritis exist. Each different form of arthritis has a different cause. The most common forms of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Septic Arthritis
• Gouty Arthritis
• Juvenile Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis is the osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease). Osteoarthritis is a result of trauma to the joint, the wearing down of the joint cartilate, the infection of the joint, or age.

As a patient grows older, osteoarthritis becomes worse. Treatments help relieve pain and help remain active. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis include pain, tenderness, stiffness, loss of flexibility, bone spurs, and swelling. Risk factors for osteoarthritis inclde overweight, aging, joint injury, family history. Roughly one third of severe osteoarthritis patients eventually become disabled. So it is important to treat osteoarthritis as soon as possible.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, affecting the joints and cartilages. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic systemic disease that can affect other organs of the body. Diagnosis and treatment at early stages are critical to limit and prevent damages to joints, loss of movement and ability to work. 1.3 million Americans are affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. You can control Rheumatoid Arthritis with drugs, diet, exercise, and joint protection techniques.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the cells and immune system attack the tissues. A person with both psoriasis and arthritis is said to have Psoriatic Arthritis. A person with psoriasis has patches of raised red skin with scales. Apprimately 1 million people in the United States have Psoriatic Arthritis. It is important to have treatments and exercises to prevent damages and disability.

 

 

Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is also known as “infectious arthritis”, meaning for arthritis caused by any infectious organism. The joint is normally lubricated with a small amount of fluid that is referred to as synovial fluid or joint fluid. The normal joint fluid is sterile,  and no infectious organism should be found. Septic arthritis can be bacterial, viral, mycobacterial, and fungal. High risk factors include taking medicines that suppress immune system, intravenous drug abuse, past joint disease, injury, or surgery.  People with diabetes, alcoholism, sickle cell disease, rheumatic diseases, and immune deficiency disorders
may develop symptoms of septic arthritis. 

You can treat Septic arthritis with antibiotics and drainage of the infected joint (synovial) fluid from the joint. It is important to have prompt medical attention and good drainage to prevent joint destruction.

  

Gouty Arthritis

Deposition of uric acid needle-like crystals in the joint may result in Gouty arthritis, causing inflammation. Risk factors for gout include overweight, kidney disease, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too much meat and fish high in chemical called purine. The most common Gouty Arthritis happens at the big toe and ankle joints.

Proper treatment of acute attacks allows people to live a normal life. However, the acute form of the disease may progress to chronic gout. Therefore, it is important to avoid the foods that trigger too much uric acids.

Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis occurs to children 18 years and younger. Juvenile Arthritis is almost the synonym for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. The common feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis is chronic joint inflamtion. Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis have common complications in adverse response to medicine taken to treat symptoms, resulting in irritation, pain, and bleeding in the stomach, interstine, liver and kidney damage.