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Arthritis Definition Arthritis encompasses more than 100 different conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues and other connective tissues causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s most common cause of disability. An estimated 46 million people in America have been diagnosed with arthritis including 300,000 children.
The most common types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) is the most common form of arthritis. It usually affects people after middle age and is characterized by gradual loss of cartilage of the joints. Unlike some other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects only joints. Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time and no cure exists, but treatment can relieve pain and help you remain active. Visit the Medline Plus Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that can result in weakness, loss of mobility and eventually destruction and deformity of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other parts of the body besides the joints and often begins at a younger age than osteoarthritis. Symptoms include swelling and redness in joints, fatigue, weight loss and sometimes fever. Visit the Arthritis Foundation Juvenile Arthritis
Approximately one in every 1,000 children develops some type of juvenile arthritis. These disorders can affect children at any age, although they are uncommon in the first six months of life. There are various types of childhood arthritis, which can last from several months to many years. The most common type is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. All types of juvenile arthritis cause joint inflammation and begin before the age of 16, but otherwise are often associated with distinct symptoms and complications and may require different approaches to treatment. In spite of their diagnosis, most children with arthritis can expect to live normal lives. For more information on Juvenile Arthritis visit the Arthritis Foundation. Visit the Arthritis Foundation
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website to learn more about osteoarthritis.