Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to the health conditions that affect the joints or tissues around the joint. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Most arthritis types cause stiffness and pain in and around the affected joint or joints, pushing sufferers to visit a pain management clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also affect some internal organs of the body and the immune system.
What Are the Most Common Types of Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States. Other types of arthritis include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is included in arthritis for public health purposes.
What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
Different types of arthritis have different symptoms. Stiffness and pain in and around one or more joints, driving people to a pain management clinic, are common symptoms for most types of arthritis. Symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually over time, and they may come and go or persist over time, depending on the type of arthritis.
What Causes Arthritis?
Health specialists don’t know the specific causes of many forms of arthritis. However, one point that is known is that gout is caused by too much uric acid in the body. Some serious infections can also cause arthritis.
Scientists are studying the role of factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle in different types of arthritis to learn more possible causes and risk factors.