Which Of The 100+ Types Of Arthritis Do You Have?

Arthritis is actually a group of more than 100 related diseases. Any disease that causes inflammation, damage, and deterioration of joints is considered a type of arthritis. Arthritis strikes people over sixty-five most often, but a lot of younger people are stricken with it, too. Each type of arthritis has its own causes, its own symptoms, and its own treatments.

The Different Forms of Arthritis

Doctors have to differentiate between the types of arthritis in order to diagnose and treat them properly. Each type of arthritis is called an arthritide. The one common denominator between all arthritides is pain. Each type causes severe pain which differs as to pattern and location. Other symptoms of arthritis are swelling, stiffness, and deterioration of joint function. If you experience these symptoms for over two weeks, don't hesitate to see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis is always the best plan.

Osteoarthritis pain is worst during the night or after a person has rested. A person who is inflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, though, will suffer most in the mornings. In the case of children and senior citizens, they may suffer less from pain and more from joint immobility and lack of function.

Some of the different arthritides in addition to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid include: septic, gout/pseudogout, juvenile, Still's disease, and Ankylosing spondylitis. Common methods of treating arthritis include a variety of different medications and arthroplasty. If the condition becomes too severe, doctors will opt for prosthetic joint replacement which has become a very popular and successful way to alleviate joint pain.

How Long Have People Suffered from Arthritis?

The oldest known case of human arthritis has been traced back to 4500 BC. However, the disease is known to have been around even longer than that. Paleontologists have discovered evidence of ankle arthritis in dinosaur bones. On the American continent, the bones of ancient Native Americans found in Tennessee and Kansas are the oldest to have exhibited signs of arthritis.

Scientists have discovered a mummy dating back to 3000 B.C.which they believe suffered from arthritis. The earliest form of arthritis medication that has been discovered, to date, is willow bark which was in use around 500 B.C. and which may or may not have helped with the pain. In our modern world, there have been estimates made that people have taken over a trillion tablets of aspirin and other pain killers to try and alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.