Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis. It is also known as “degenerative joint disease” which usually affects the weight bearing joints such as the fingers, knees and hips. Osteoarthritis is a result of mechanical wear and tear among the joints. Almost everyone at the age of 70 or older has osteoarthritis but not all of them would get the symptoms of arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is caused by the abnormal response of the immune system that attacks the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis affects not only the joints but also the tissues of the body including the internal organs, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles.
Gouty arthritis
This disease is caused by the buildup of uric acid. Gouty arthritis is triggered by monosodium urate (uric acid forms) crystals that have been deposited on the articular cartilage of tendons, joints and surrounding tissues. These uric crystal acid deposits promote inflammatory response from the body . The buildup of uric acid crystals is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood stream.
Psoriatic arthritis
A type of arthritis that is associated with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a long term disease accompanied by scaly red and white patches that develop on the skin. The cause of psoriasis is an overdriven immune system causing excessive inflammation. About 20% of people who have psoriatic arthritis will develop “psoriatic spondylitis” where there is inflammation in the spine. Psoriatic Arthritis may affect any joint in the body.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/
National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
http://www.niams.nih.gov/
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov/
Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org
American College of Rheumatology
http://www.rheumatology.org