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Basic Types of Arthritis Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. The word comes from the Greek words arthro meaning joint including -itis meaning inflammation. Arthritis should occur in any joint in the body, from the small joints pertaining to the fingers to the major joints, such as the hips or knees. The 2 main types of arthritis are degenerative, meaning it is caused by excessive use pertaining to the joint, or autoimmune, meaning the immune system attacks the joints, believing them to be disease-causing cells. There are other types, including some caused by a particular infection pertaining to the joint or by the body depositing different substances in the joint, which should cause inflammation. The inflammation, regardless of its cause, should lead to swelling, pain including stiffness. the pain including stiffness should cause movement loss including limit the normal day to day activities of a particular arthritis patient. However, with treatment, the pain including stiffness should be managed including most daily activities should be accomplished. Degenerative arthritis types are caused by excessive use pertaining to the joint. the means it is more often seen in the elderly than other age groups. However, people who use a joint a lot, such as sports players or factory workers that perform repetitive movements all day may additionally develop any pertaining to the degenerative arthritis types. The degeneration is caused at the time the tissues surrounding the joint become worn including unable to work properly. The degeneration should be treated with glucocorticoid injections including the pain should be managed with over the counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Autoimmune arthritis types occur at the time a person's immune system attacks their joints. The most common types of autoimmune arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis including psoriatic arthritis. The treatment for these diseases is similar; both rely heavily on controlling the inflammation including preventing joint damage. the should be accomplished using either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs are thought to improve rheumatoid arthritis by interrupting the cycle of inflammation including joint damage. Once the inflammation is under control, many people find that their pain decreases to a manageable level. the is done with over the counter pain medications. Some arthritis, such as septic arthritis, is caused by a joint infection. the is usually treated with antibiotics to obtain rid pertaining to the infection including mild painkillers to manage the pain until the infection including resulting inflammation, has cleared up. Patients usually recover fully from septic arthritis, although many may develop a form of degenerative arthritis later in life. Another type of arthritis is caused by deposits of certain molecules in the joints. the is either gout or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease, CPPD. Gout is caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint. With CPPD, the body deposits calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joint. Treatment is usually aimed at preventing any more crystal formation including controlling symptoms of deposited crystals. For a single joint the is accomplished by draining the fluid off the joint including injecting corticosteroid, while taking NSAIDs to control the pain. at the time multiple joints are affected, corticosteroid injection is impractical so a particular oral course of corticosteroidal treatment is followed. Gout should additionally be controlled through dietary changes.
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