Did you know?

Arthritis means "joint inflammation" and is common in adults 65 and older, but it affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. The word "arthritis" is used to describe more than 100 different diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue. The locations, types, and severity of symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of arthritis. More than 46 million adults in the United States have reported being diagnosed by their doctor with some form of arthritis.

The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both of which are more commonly found in women than in men. Unlike muscle pain, arthritis pain is primarily felt in and around joints. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion.

Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the U.S. Approximately 27 million adults have reported being diagnosed with OA by their doctor. While the cause of OA is unknown, it occurs when cartilage in joints breaks down over time. Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, OA is most commonly found in the knees, hips, hands, or spine, though it can occur in any joint.

Quick facts about OA

• One in two people in the U.S. will experience some form of OA in their lifetime.
• OA accounts for more than 50 percent of arthritis cases in the U.S.

Symptoms of OA
The most noticeable symptom of OA is a feeling of pain in or around the joint. Other symptoms include:

• Tenderness and stiffness in the joint
• Loss of flexibility or range of motion
• Grating sensation or sound in the joint, also known as crepitus

You might notice some of these feelings or sounds even when performing everyday activities like climbing stairs, getting dressed, or going shopping.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease whereby the body’s defense system malfunctions and begins to mistakenly attack itself. In RA, white blood cells, which normally fight infection, attack the lining of a joint causing inflammation (swelling). This inflammation leads to a release of proteins that thicken the joint lining. The proteins can also damage the cartilage, bone tendons, and ligaments near the joint, eventually destroying the joint itself.

Quick facts about RA

• Typically, RA affects the smaller joints first, such as the ones in your hands and feet, and then may move on to other joints.
• RA is two to three times more common in women than in men and can start developing as early as age 20.
• In addition to symptoms of swelling and pain, RA can cause fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
• The exact causes of RA remain unknown. Doctors think that it's probably the result of a complex combination of factors, ranging from viruses and family medical history to lifestyle choices like smoking.

Symptoms of RA
Similar to OA, the primary symptom of RA is pain felt in and around the joints. In addition to pain, other symptoms of RA found in joints may include:

• Swelling of joints
• Joints that are tender to the touch
• Red and puffy joints
• Morning joint stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes but can continue for hours

RA can affect other parts of the body beyond joints. Firm bumps under the skin called rheumatoid nodules occur in 20 percent-30 percent of RA cases, often on the arms and elbows. Other parts of the body that can be affected by RA are the lungs, eyes, and blood vessels.

It’s important to talk to your doctor if you start to notice signs or symptoms of any type of arthritis, such as joint pain or stiffness. Your doctor can diagnose your arthritis and help you create a treatment plan to help minimize the impact that arthritis pain has on your daily activities. He or she may also recommend other steps that you can take to manage arthritis that may include diet, exercise, or alternative therapies in addition to medication.