Types of Arthritis to Keep an Eye Out for

September 18, 2023

4 mins

Arthritis is the inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints.

While experts believe at least 58.5 million American adults have some form of arthritis, many people with this disease don’t even realize they have it.

In fact, many people aren’t aware that joint pain and stiffness (along with other symptoms) can be early signs of arthritis.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of arthritis and the symptoms associated with them.

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What are the Different Types of Arthritis? 

There are more than 100 different varieties of arthritis. Many are rare, while some occur more frequently in the population. Symptoms of arthritis can range from mild to severe and can vary depending on the type.

These are the six most common types of arthritis and their associated symptoms: 

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is, by far, the most common form of arthritis. It is classified as a degenerative, localized joint disorder that develops slowly over time. While it mostly affects people in their 50s or above, individuals of all ages can develop it.

Osteoarthritis can affect an individual joint or multiple joints on one or both sides of the body.

The main consequence of osteoarthritis is the gradual deterioration of your cartilage. Cartilage is the rubbery protective substance that connects your bones to create a joint. This can affect the body’s ability to function and can have an impact on overall quality of life.

Joints that bear weight are particularly susceptible to osteoarthritis. If you are overweight, these joints can wear down faster because excess weight puts more pressure on your cartilage.

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Deep aches and pains in the affected joint

• Stiffness and loss of flexibility, especially in the mornings

• Swelling, inflammation, and tenderness in the affected area

• Bone spurs or excessive bone growths

• Weakened muscles in the area surrounding the joint

Losing some weight can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and provide additional health benefits as well.

Rheumatoid arthritis 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks various parts of your body. The joints are one of the most common targets of these unwarranted attacks.

Your immune system plays an essential role in protecting you from harmful bacteria. When it perceives a threat, white blood cells and other antibodies flood the area, seek out the threat, and destroy it. Rheumatoid arthritis throws your immune system off balance and it starts perceiving threats seemingly at random.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can either come on gradually or suddenly appear from nowhere. In addition to affecting the joints in your body, this condition can impact your skin, brain, heart, lungs, eyes, and mouth.

While most cases of arthritis are diagnosed with diagnostic imaging like x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, RA can also be checked for in blood tests that provide insight into elevated levels of certain immune system markers like rheumatoid factor.

Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Deep aches and pains in multiple joints

• Stiffness and loss of flexibility in multiple joints

• Swelling, information, and tenderness in multiple joints

• Fatigue, anemia, or general malaise

• Frequent and severe fever

Psoriatic arthritis 

Psoriatic arthritis is a combination of skin and joint inflammation. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes raised, patchy, and discolored areas of skin. Although this condition can flare up anywhere on the body, it typically affects the elbows, knees, scalp, and navel.

A low percentage of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. The symptoms will usually start to appear during middle age, but can develop as early as childhood.

Psoriatic arthritis is somewhat sporadic, so you might experience symptoms in one joint or several. The symptoms can randomly flare up and then become dormant again for a while.

The most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• Severe skin and joint inflammation

• Swollen fingers and toes

• Brittle nails that contain pits, crumble, or separate from the nail bed

• Pain where the tendons and ligaments attach to your bones

Gout 

Gout occurs whenever there is a substantial buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. The joints in your feet are especially susceptible to gout.

Uric acid is naturally produced by your liver in order to repair damaged tissues and perform other essential tasks. Gout is a possibility if your body is overproducing uric acid, your kidneys can’t process the uric acid that your body produces, or you are eating foods that increase your uric acid levels.

The symptoms of gout usually suddenly appear in flare-ups that usually last somewhere between three and 10 days. Gout symptoms can vary from person to person, but generally, without proper management, they can become more frequent and severe over time. 

The most common symptoms of gout include:

• Intense pain and sharp discomfort in the affected joint or joints

• Stiffness and loss of flexibility

• Swelling, inflammation, and tenderness

Lupus 

Lupus is another autoimmune disorder in the same vein as rheumatoid arthritis. Known medically as systemic lupus erythematosus, this disease can affect the joints and organs in your body.

Just like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus essentially confuses your immune system and it starts to perceive your body’s own cells as a threat. Your immune system floods your body with inflammation, ultimately causing intense pain and other symptoms.

While there is still much to learn about lupus, the condition appears to affect women more than men. This may be because women typically have lower bone density than men.

African American women are also more likely to develop lupus than Caucasian women. The symptoms typically appear between the ages of 15 to 44.

Potential symptoms of lupus include:

• Painful, stiff, and swollen joints

• Fatigue and anemia

• Headaches and migraines

• Skin rashes, mouth sores, and hair loss

• Light and sun sensitivity

• Chest pain and blood disorders

Fibromyalgia 

Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. While it doesn’t elicit the same levels of inflammation as other forms of arthritis, it can still be very painful. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia severely amplifies the painful sensations sent to your brain via your spinal cord. An event that shouldn’t elicit much pain will feel significantly worse.

Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men, and the symptoms can be random. They can begin after severe physical or emotional trauma or gradually accumulate over time. Fibromyalgia commonly weakens your immune system and causes various imbalances in your immune response.

These are a few common symptoms of fibromyalgia:

• A widespread dull aching sensation that lasts for months on end

• Fatigue and sleeping disorders

• Cognitive difficulties and impaired memory

• Migraine and headaches

• Depression and anxiety

• Irritable bowel syndrome and painful bladder syndrome

How Rex MD Can Help

While there is no definitive cure for arthritis, there are ways to decrease pain and manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes can play a significant role in reducing inflammation and strengthening the muscles around your joints. 

Rex MD's parent company LifeMD can connect you with a licensed healthcare provider who may be able to offer guidance for arthritis management and prescribe medication, if appropriate.

Make an online appointment today to get started.