There are over 100 different types of arthritis that affect the joints and connective tissues of over 40 million Americans. Most times, we do not clearly understand what causes arthritis. It tends to be chronic and usually cannot be cured. But it can be managed with home and alternative treatment. Common types of arthritis include (the first three are the most common)

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common of all arthritic conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the whole body so that RA patients often feel as if they have a virus. The membranes lining joints become inflamed, causing pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. Involved joints—typically wrists, knuckles, knees, and joints of the balls of feet—can become misshapen and misaligned. RA usually begins in middle age, affects joints on both sides of the body, such as both wrists (unlike OA, which can affect just one knee or one hip), and is much more common in women than men.

Fibromyalgia is a condition involving generalized muscle pain, fatigue, and poor sleep. Tender spots (when pressed) on muscles are the hallmark of this condition.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a completely different condition in children with at least three major subtypes that affect single joints, multiple joints, or the entire body. In most children, the disease completely disappears over time.

Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by attacks of sudden, severe pain in body joints. The joint most often affected is at the base of the big toe. Gout can also affect knees, ankles, feet, and (less commonly) joints in the arms. The pain is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, SLE) is an autoimmune disorder. That is, antibodies (that your body produces) attack other parts of your body. A red skin rash may be present; about half of SLE patients have arthritis in their joints, but not to the degree of intensity and disability as RA. Lupus is a very individual condition: some people aren’t aware they have it, but others have a major illness.