The term “Arthritis” can apply to around 200 different conditions affecting the joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. The two most common forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.Both forms of arthritis produce differing symptoms and require different kinds of treatments.

Rheumatoid arthritis refers to an autoimmune disorder that causes the patient’s own immune system to attack the joint tissue lining. Eventually, this condition spreads across the joint and deforms it. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe pain and swelling along with various other problems with the organs of the body. In the United States, rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 1.5 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects women 3 times more likely than men. Other forms of arthritis also include gout, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, cervical spondylosis, facet arthritis, fibromyalgia, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, etc.

The most common symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint. This condition also decreases the range of motion and causes redness of the skin around the joint. Patients with arthritis experience these symptoms usually in the morning. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, a patient may feel a loss of appetite because of the inflammation of the immune system. Severe rheumatoid arthritis in the hands also causes joint deformity, leading to large, painful knuckles and thumb joints.