Risk Factors For Arthritis
Certain risk factors have been associated with arthritis. Some of these are modifiable while others are not.
Non-modifiable arthritis risk factors:
- Age: the risk of developing most types of arthritis increases with age.
- Sex: most types of arthritis are more common in females, and 60 percent of all people with arthritis are female. Gout is more common in males than females.
- Genetic factors: specific genes are associated with a higher risk of certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis , systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis.
Modifiable arthritis risk factors:
- Overweight and obesity: excess weight can contribute to both the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis.
- Joint injuries: damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.
- Infection: many microbial agents can infect joints and trigger the development of various forms of arthritis.
- Occupation: certain occupations that involve repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Comorbidities
More than half of adults in the U.S. with arthritis report high blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with heart disease, the most common comorbidity among adults with arthritis.
Around 1 in 5 of adults in the U.S. who have arthritis are smokers. Smoking is associated with chronic respiratory conditions, the second most common comorbidity among adults with arthritis.
Different Types Of Gout: The Causes Symtoms And Treatment
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Youve likely heard the term gout, but do you know what it is, and what to do about it? Gout is actually a very painful type of arthritis. In order to alleviate the pain of this condition, it must be treated, either by a doctor or by using one of many home remedies.
There are different types of gout, and it can be acute or chronic. In most cases, gout occurs in men, but it is not uncommon for women to also end up with this painful condition.
Are You At Risk
Arthritis is a widespread disease, and risk factors depend on the type. Age increases the risk of arthritis types like osteoarthritis, while women are more predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Family history also plays a role in the amount of risk you may have. If you think you may have arthritis, make an appointment with your primary care physician.
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Characterizing The Most Common Types Of Arthritis
There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis and other related diseases out there. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, and is one of the leading causes of disability due to chronic pain. Since there are so many types of arthritis and people who can get it, this common condition is one that should be more understood.
General arthritis symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. These factors may limit range of motion, but there can be windows of time where symptoms ease. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Am I At Risk Of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis commonly affects adults that are in their mid-40s or over. Itâs also more commonly found in women and those who have a family member who experiences the condition.
You may also experience the condition if you have a related joint condition such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, or, if you injure a joint.
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The 5 Most Common Types Of Arthritis Of The Spine
Arthritis is the root of chronic pain for many individuals. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately one in four Americans over the age of 18 have arthritis that has been identified and formally diagnosed by a doctor.
For some individuals, arthritis can be easily managed, while for other patients, arthritis can mean persistent pain, decreased mobility, and even physical deformation. The exact treatment for a patients arthritis depends both on the type or types of arthritis that he or she has and the current severity of the arthritis.
Arthritis is not reversible, but can often be managed with the help of appropriate medical professionals. In this blog, we discuss the general characteristics of arthritis as well as five of the most common types of arthritis of the spine.
Do Certain Types Of Weather Make Arthritis Worse
Some people find that arthritis feels worse during certain types of weather. Humidity and cold are two common triggers of joint pain.
There are a variety of reasons why this might happen. People tend to be less active in rainy seasons and the wintertime. The cold and damp can also stiffen joints and aggravate arthritis. Other theories suggest that barometric pressure, or the pressure of the air around us, may have some effect on arthritis.
If you find that certain types of weather make your arthritis worse, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage your symptoms. Dressing warmly, exercising inside or using heat therapy may help relieve your pain.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. There are many types of arthritis, all of which can cause pain and reduce mobility. Some forms of arthritis result from natural wear and tear. Other types come from autoimmune diseases or inflammatory conditions. There are a variety of treatments for arthritis, ranging from physical or occupational therapy to joint surgery. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan for your needs. Most people can successfully manage arthritis and still do the activities they care about.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/15/2021.
References
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List Of Different Types Of Arthritis
Synopsis: General information and list of over 150 various types of arthritis, a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints in humans. The most 5 common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Children and teens get a type of arthritis called juvenile idiopathic arthritis . “Juvenile” means young and “idiopathic” means cause unknown.
Why Do Kids Get It
No one really knows what causes JIA. Something in the environment, like a virus, may trigger the disease in kids that already have certain genes that make it more likely for them to get it.
JIA is not contagious, so you can’t catch it from someone else.
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease means a person’s immune system makes a mistake and attacks the body’s own tissues or organs. Normally, a kid’s immune system sends out white blood cells to protect the body and fight outside invaders like bacteria and viruses that can make a kid sick. But with an autoimmune disease like JIA, the immune system makes a mistake and attacks healthy cells.
Instead of recognizing the healthy cells and saying, “Hi, nice to see you,” the immune system thinks the healthy cells need to be destroyed and releases chemicals to fight the healthy cells. The chemicals released by the immune system cause the pain and swelling that can happen with arthritis.
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How Do Health Care Professionals Diagnose Arthritis
The first step in the diagnosis of arthritis is a meeting between the doctor and the patient. The doctor will review the history of symptoms, examine the joints for inflammation and deformity, as well as ask questions about or examine other parts of the body for inflammation or signs of diseases that can affect other body areas. Furthermore, medical professionals might order certain blood , urine, joint fluid, and/or X-ray tests. Plain X-ray testing can be used to easily detect signs of osteoarthritis, such as joint space narrowing and spur formation . A doctor will make a diagnosis based on the pattern of symptoms, the distribution of the inflamed joints, and any blood and X-ray findings. Several visits may be necessary before the doctor can be certain of the diagnosis. A doctor with special training in arthritis and related diseases is called a rheumatologist .
Many forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than serious. However, millions of people suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications.
Whats The Outlook For Someone Living With Arthritis
Since theres no cure for arthritis, most people need to manage arthritis for the rest of their lives. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right combination of treatments to reduce symptoms. One of the biggest health risks associated with arthritis is inactivity. If you become sedentary from joint pain, you may face a greater risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other serious conditions.
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Types Of Arthritis Pain
Get the basics about different kinds of joint disease and what makes each type of arthritis pain unique.
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. The most common typesinclude osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , psoriatic arthritis , fibromyalgia and gout. Arthritis and related diseases can cause debilitating, life-changing pain in different ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of the adults who have arthritis report that it limits their leisure activities and work and 25% of them say it causes severe pain .
Types of Arthritis and Pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes the protective cartilage inside the joint to break down. This makes movement of affected joints more difficult and painful. In time, bones of the joint may rub directly against one another, causing severe pain. Pain can also come from parts of your joint other than the cartilage, such as bone, synovium and ligaments. The intensity of OA pain varies from person to person and can range from mild to severe.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the body, causing inflammation and pain. PsA affects the joints, causing arthritis the connective tissue where tendons or ligaments attach to bones, causing enthesitis and the skin, causing psoriasis.
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Lupus
Back Pain
Managing Pain
Can Imaging Exams Detect Arthritis

Imaging exams can help your healthcare provider get a clear picture of your bones, joints and soft tissues. An X-ray, MRI or ultrasound can reveal:
- Bone fractures or dislocations that may be causing you joint pain.
- Cartilage breakdown around your joints.
- Muscle, ligament or tendon injuries near your joints.
- Soft tissue inflammation.
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Arthritis Prevalence In The Us
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the most common cause of disability among U.S. adults and have been for the past 15 years.
- Nearly 50% of people may develop symptomatic knee OA by age 85 years.
- An estimated 52.5 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.
- 26.0% of women and 19.1% men report doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
- An estimated 27 million adults had osteoarthritis in 2005.
- An estimated 5.0 million adults had fibromyalgia in 2005.
- An estimated 1.5 million adults had rheumatoid arthritis in 2007.
- In 2004, there were 454,652 total knee replacements performed, primarily for arthritis.
- An estimated 3.0 million adults had gout in 2005, and 6.1 million adults have ever had gout.
- An estimated 294,000 children under age 18 have some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition.
- In 2004, there were 232,857 total hip replacements, 41,934 shoulder, and 12,055 other joint replacements, primarily for arthritis.
What Can I Do To Make Living With Arthritis Easier
Changing your routine can make living with arthritis easier. Adjust your activities to lessen joint pain. It may help to work with an occupational therapist . An OT is a healthcare provider who specializes in managing physical challenges like arthritis.
An OT may recommend:
- Adaptive equipment, such as grips for opening jars.
- Techniques for doing hobbies, sports or other activities safely.
- Tips for reducing joint pain during arthritic flare-ups.
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Gout And Calcium Crystal Diseases
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause painful swelling in joints. It typically affects the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body.
Joints affected by gout can become red and hot. The skin may also look shiny and can peel.
Its caused by having too much urate, otherwise known as uric acid, in the body. We all have a certain amount of urate in our body.
However, being overweight or eating and drinking too much of certain types of food and alcoholic drinks can cause some people to have more urate in their bodies. The genes you inherit can make you more likely to develop gout.
If it reaches a high level, urate can form into crystals that remain in and around the joint. They can be there for a while without causing any problems and even without the person realising they are there.
A knock to a part of the body or having a fever can lead to the crystals falling into the soft part of the joint. This will cause pain and swelling.
There are drugs that can reduce the amount of urate in the body and prevent gout attacks. Examples are allopurinol and . If youre having a gout attack, youll also need short-term pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as paracetamol can be good drugs to try first.
Men can get gout from their mid-20s, and in women its more common after the menopause. Taking water tablets can increase the risk of gout.
There are also conditions that cause calcium crystals to form in and around joints.
How Different Types Of Arthritis Affect Your Joints Differently
Do you believe your joint pain is caused by arthritis? With over 100 different types of arthritis identified, knowing the type you have could be the key to relieving your pain and inflammation. A qualified specialist can correctly diagnose your arthritis type and properly manage your symptoms with a targeted regimen.
At Western Orthopaedics in Arvada and Denver, Colorado, our team of orthopaedic specialists has many years of combined experience diagnosing and treating the various forms of arthritis. They can properly classify your arthritis type and treat your joint pain and any other symptoms.
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There Are Five Different Types Of Arthritis
Arthritis is divided into five categories. There are subtypes for each kind, but determining the core diagnosis is the first step. Some kinds of arthritis manifest symptoms very quickly, while others may take years to manifest symptoms.
Other Conditions And Joint Pain
Other forms of arthritis, and other conditions, can also cause joint pain. Examples include:
- fibromyalgia syndrome, a condition in which your brain processes pain in your muscles and joints in a way that amplifies your perception of the pain
- scleroderma, an autoimmune condition in which inflammation and hardening in your skin connective tissues can lead to organ damage and joint pain
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Common Types Of Arthritis
Commonly associated with older age, arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, including more than 300,000 children each year. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Depending on the type, it can be extremely painful and affect everyday activities or go relatively unnoticed and be easily managed for years.
Simply put, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. Most individuals experience common symptoms like joint pain, swelling, stiffness and/or decreased range of motion.
Here are 5 of the most common types of arthritis:
Difference Between Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are several different 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.
At the University of Michigan Health System, our experienced rheumatologists will do appropriate tests to determine which type of arthritis you have. Then we will develop an effective treatment plan and will explain your options.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage joint surface wears out. Osteoarthritis usually begins in an isolated joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body instead of intruders. In this case, it attacks the synovial membrane that encases and protects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis often targets several joints at one time. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- the symmetrical nature of the disease ,
- fever
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