Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, with joint pain and stiffness as its primary symptoms, often worsening with age. The term “arthritis” is not a single disease; it encompasses joint pain or joint disease with more than 100 different types and related conditions.
Understanding arthritis is crucial for better management and health. It is a disease that affects the joints (where bones meet and move), often involving inflammation or degeneration of these joints, leading to pain during movement. Commonly affected areas include the feet, hands, hips, knees, and lower back.
“Arthritis” literally means joint inflammation, with many types having various causes and treatments. In some cases, it can affect other organs such as the eyes, heart, or skin. Symptoms of arthritis typically develop over time but can also appear suddenly.
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form, where the protective cartilage cushioning bone ends wears down over time. This wear can occur in any joint but is most frequent in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Arthritis signifies inflammation of joints, affecting connective tissues and the tissues around the joint. Symptoms vary by type but generally include joint pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can extend beyond the joints to the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues.
Learn more about arthritis from reputable sources such as the Mayo Clinic, Arthritis Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, NIAMS, Healthline, Mayo Clinic on Osteoarthritis, CDC on Arthritis Types, and the Mayo Clinic on Rheumatoid Arthritis.
