Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common kind or type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease since it is the result of mechanical wear and tear of the joints. This disease usually affects the joints of the body which carries the weight or load. Joints that are commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the finger joints, knee joints and hip joints. Almost every person at the age of 70 and above has osteoarthritis but not everyone will develop the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the abnormal or excessive response of the immune system. The immune system abnormally attacts the joints of the body and also some other tissues of the body including the internal organs, blood vessels, heart, muscles and lungs.
Gouty Arthritis
This kind of Arthritis is caused by Uric Acid build up inside the body. Gouty Arthritis is triggered by uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) that have been deposited on the articular cartilage of the tendons, joints and other surrounding tissues. Uric acid crystal deposits cause an inflammatory response from the body. The build up of uric acid crystals starts from elevated levels of uric acid in the blood stream.
Psoriatic arthritis
This is usually associated with Psoriasis and it can affect any joint in the body. Psoriasis is a chronic disease which is usually comes with scale red and white patches that develop on the skin. The main cause of psoriases is an immune system that is overdriven, causing excessive inflammation. At least 20% of people suffering from psoriatic arthritis will develop Psoriatic Spondylitis where there is inflammation of the spine.
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
Page last updated: May 02, 2009
