what are five types of arthritis

What is the most painful type of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.

What are the 7 types of arthritis?

What Type of Arthritis Do You Have?Osteoarthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis.Childhood arthritis.Spondyloarthropathies.Lupus erythematosus.Gout.Infectious and reactive arthritis.Psoriatic arthritis.More items...

How can I tell what kind of arthritis I have?

Use imaging tests like X-rays. These can often tell what kind of arthritis you have. X-rays are used to diagnose osteoarthritis, often showing a loss of cartilage, bone spurs, and in severe cases, bone rubbing against bone.

What are the 2 most common types of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common forms. Although the symptoms of these two types of arthritis can be similar, it's very important to distinguish between them in order to determine the proper treatment.

What type of arthritis comes on suddenly?

Palindromic rheumatism is a rare condition where symptoms like those of rheumatoid arthritis – joint inflammation, pain and swelling – come on suddenly and then disappear just as quickly.

What is the main cause of arthritis?

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis usually comes with age and most often affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows a joint injury. For example, you might have badly injured your knee when young and develop arthritis in your knee joint years later.

How do doctors test for arthritis?

Laboratory tests The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint the type of arthritis you may have. Fluids commonly analyzed include blood, urine and joint fluid. To obtain a sample of joint fluid, doctors cleanse and numb the area before inserting a needle in the joint space to withdraw some fluid.

Does arthritis show up in blood tests?

Blood tests No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but several tests can show indications of the condition. Some of the main blood tests used include: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – which can help assess levels of inflammation in the body.

Does arthritis show up on xray?

X-Ray. X-rays give a two-dimensional picture of your joints. They show joint space narrowing (a sign of arthritis), erosions, fractures, lower-than normal bone density and bone spurs.

What is the best pain medication for arthritis?

NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.

Does arthritis hurt all the time?

Pain. Pain from arthritis can be constant or it may come and go. It may occur when at rest or while moving. Pain may be in one part of the body or in many different parts.

How do you stop arthritis from progressing?

Slowing Osteoarthritis ProgressionMaintain a Healthy Weight. Excess weight puts additional pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. ... Control Blood Sugar. ... Get Physical. ... Protect Joints. ... Choose a Healthy Lifestyle.

How do I know if I have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?

Disease Onset Osteoarthritis tends to develop gradually over several years, as the joint cartilage wears away. Eventually the bones of your joints rub against each other. In contrast, the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis can develop and worsen over several weeks or a few months.

What is worse rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis?

The two conditions can cause similar symptoms, but they have different causes and treatments. OA usually affects fewer joints, and its symptoms are generally limited to the joints. The progression of RA is more difficult to predict, and it can cause more widespread symptoms.

Where does arthritis usually start?

Usually, the small joints of the fingers and toes are affected first. The most common symptom is stiffness, and it takes a long time to get the joints moving, especially in the morning.

What is difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?

The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints. It may begin any time in life.