There are various types of arthritis that have been discovered by the medical science through ages. Over 100 types of arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related conditions are found in medical science. Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia rheumatica , Ankylosing spondylitis, Gout, Pseudogout, Polymyositis, Fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Osteoarthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis are some of the commonly known arthritis forms.
Rheumatoid arthritis is known to be the most serious inflammatory form and is the prototypical autoimmune form of arthritis. Because it may do most of its damage in the first year, early diagnosis and aggressive therapy is critical. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs. This type of arthritis chiefly attacks the joints producing an inflammatory synovitis that often progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce diffuse inflammation in other organs of the body like the lungs, pericardium, pleura, and sclera, and also nodular lesions, most common in subcutaneous tissue under the skin. Though the reason behind this chronic arthritis remains unrevealed, autoimmunity is thought to be the key in its chronic nature and progression.
Psoriatic arthritis is a potentially serious inflammatory form of arthritis that is often found in association with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is said to be a seronegative spondyloarthropathy and therefore occurs more commonly in patients with tissue type HLA-B27. Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint arthritis that affects weight-bearing areas such as the spine, hips, knees, base of the thumbs, and feet. Genetics and mechanical factors also play a big role. This disease follows is a group of diseases and mechanical abnormalities implicating degradation of joints, including cartilage and the subchondral bone.
Polymyalgia rheumatica occurs in people in early or late fifties and presents with severe stiffness and aching in the joints of neck, shoulders, and hips. This disease is treatable and proper treatment is possible after accurate diagnosis of this disease. Another commonly known arthritis is Ankylosing spondylitis which is a form of Spondyloarthritis. This is an inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints and often causes eventual fusion of the spine that result in a complete rigidity of the spine. Reactive arthritis which is common in people aged between 20 to 40 is an autoimmune condition that formulates after an infection mostly intestinal or genitourinary infections in a part of the body. Young adults are commonly affected by this kind of arthritis.
Gout which is a metabolic arthritis is a deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. This type of arthritis is recognised by elevated levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) and overall acidity in the bloodstream. Gout attacks joints as well as kidneys. Pseudogout is a form of arthritis which occurs due to deposition of calcium pyrophosphate or hydroxyapatite. Pseudogout may mimic other types of arthritis such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis. The medical studies say that Pseudogout may coexist with other types of arthritis making it very difficult to diagnose.
Another inflammatory form of muscle disease is Polymyositis which is often associated with arthritis. This is a systemic condition that affects all muscles including the functional muscles of the heart, lungs, etc. Arthritis can develop due to defective neurotransmitter function in the brain. These types of arthritis are called Fibromyalgia which is a soft tissue form of arthritis. Due to the fact that these neurotransmitters are responsible for many sensory functions, patients with fibromyalgia present with bizarre symptoms. A known but easily treatable form of arthritis is Lyme disease which is the result of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. The organism is transmitted by a deer tick bite.
Apart from all these forms of arthritis, there are other arthritis forms like Septic arthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Still`s disease, Lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Haemochromatosis, Hepatitis, Wegener`s granulomatosis, Familial Mediterranean fever, Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with recurrent fever, TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease. There are some diseases that mimic arthritis, which include Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, Multiple myeloma, Osteoporosis and Fifth disease.
These types of arthritis can be detected as they all have some common symptoms. If diagnosed properly, arthritis can be treatable though the process may take some time to bring effective results.
