Most Common Forms Of Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative condition of chronic pain affecting the joints of the body.  There is no definite cure for arthritis as there are more than a hundred varieties of arthritis.  Because arthritis afflicts more than 80% of adults (and even some children), there is a constant activity of research and development for identifying breakthrough arthritis cures.  Central to all these activities are the goals of pain management, prevention or control of disease progression, prevention or control of functional disabilities, overall wellness and improved quality of life.  Nowadays, cures for arthritis cover a myriad of activities that could include prescription of medicines, surgical procedures, application of alternative medical disciplines like acupuncture, promotion of natural arthritis cures like physical therapy, massage and diet management, and the unconventional approaches like encouraging improved socialization and laughter among patients.

Below is a listing of the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition where the cartilage of the joints of the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees thin out to cause the bone joints to bump against each other when moving.  This causes chronic pain among patients and is the most common form of arthritis afflicting a majority of aging adults over 45 years old.  Symptoms are joint pains during activity, stiffness in the joints after a prolonged period of inactivity, growth of bone spurs that can limit effective range of motion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a widespread type of arthritis that is characterized by the painful swelling of 3 or more joints that limit functionality and leads to disability of the affected joints.  The condition affects the patient’s autoimmune system, making the condition chronic but could be characterized with spaced out episodes of attack.  The symptoms are inflamed joints where the synovial membrane is swollen, with the autoimmune disease often progressing towards bone erosion and disability.

Gout is the inflammation of the joints due to unusually high deposits of uric acid.  It is the oldest known form of arthritis and is usually characterized by the painful swelling and soreness of the big toe.  It is most common among men who like to eat a lot of rich food and drink excessive levels of alcohol.  Kidney malfunction is the major threat of chronic gout.

Knowing what kind of arthritis a patient is afflicted with greatly determines the appropriate arthritis cure to be applied.