What are the two main types of arthritis?

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down.

Which is worse -- rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis?

The two conditions can cause similar symptoms, but they have different causes and treatments. OA usually affects fewer joints, and its symptoms are generally limited to the joints. The progression of RA is more difficult to predict, and it can cause more widespread symptoms.

What are the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, involves the wearing away of the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints.

What are the most painful types of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.

What is the most serious form of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as the most disabling type of arthritis. While they both fall under the "arthritis" umbrella and share certain similarities, these diseases have significant differences.

What are the different types of arthritis?

What type of arthritis qualify for disability?

SSA recognizes inflammatory arthritis could qualify as a disabling disease if it is accompanied by the following findings. Deformity or swelling of an ankle, knee, or hip joint with: At least two of the following symptoms: fever, loss of weight, fatigue, or a general feeling of discomfort.

How do you know what type of arthritis you have?

Do a physical exam. Your doctor will check for swollen joints, tenderness, redness, warmth, or loss of motion in the joints. Use imaging tests like X-rays. These can often tell what kind of arthritis you have.

What is the best pain medication for arthritis?

NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.

What causes arthritis to flare up suddenly?

The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.

Is rheumatoid arthritis worse than psoriatic arthritis?

A study published in 2015 in the journal PLoS One found that the overall pain, joint pain, and fatigue reported by psoriatic arthritis patients was significantly greater than that reported by people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Is osteoarthritis painful all the time?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.

What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. If left untreated, it'll get worse with time. Although death from OA is rare, it's a significant cause of disability among adults. It's important to talk to your doctor if OA is impacting your quality of life.

Does a rheumatologist treat osteoarthritis?

Rheumatologists – Rheumatologists specialize in musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions. They treat all types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

What type of arthritis is hereditary?

The most common type: Osteoarthritis

There are hereditary forms of osteoarthritis that are caused by mutations in genes for collagen. This type of osteoarthritis can first appear at a young age, quickly causing severe damage, though not very common.

Is osteoarthritis an autoimmune disorder?

Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease, and although the exact causes are not known, multiple risk factors have been identified. In a healthy joint, cartilage provides cushioning and a smooth joint surface for motion.

What does an arthritis flare feel like?

An RA flare can involve an exacerbation of any symptom of the disease, but most commonly it's characterized by intense pain and stiffness in the joints. Flares are often severe enough to interfere with everyday tasks, such as: getting dressed, grooming, and bathing.

Is heat or ice better for arthritis?

For an acute injury, such as a pulled muscle or injured tendon, the usual recommendation is to start by applying ice to reduce inflammation and dull pain. Once inflammation has gone down, heat can be used to ease stiffness. For a chronic pain condition, such as osteoarthritis, heat seems to work best.

Why is arthritis pain worse at night?

One theory is that the body's circadian rhythm may play a role. In people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the body releases less of the anti-inflammatory chemical cortisol at night, increasing inflammation-related pain.

How do you calm an arthritic flare up?

Hot and cold compresses can help ease the pain of an arthritis flare. Heat soothes joint pain by increasing blood flow to the painful area and relaxing the muscles. Cold eases inflammation by constricting the blood vessels.

Is Tramadol good for arthritis pain?

Tramadol can also be used in conjunction with acetaminophen or NSAIDs. Tramadol may be used for short periods of time to help treat pain associated with inflammatory arthritis.

What are three of the newest drugs for arthritis pain?

The newest drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which are FDA approved under the brand names Rinvoq, Olumiant, and Xeljanz.

Does CBD Oil Help arthritis?

A: At a time when we are trying to reduce the use of pain relievers, CBD oil can be an effective approach to managing the pain of arthritis. Researchers have also recognized the role that CBD could play in reducing the pain-causing inflammation of arthritis. However, its effectiveness will vary from person to person.

What are 5 symptoms of arthritis?

What is the fastest way to cure arthritis?

Use hot and cold therapy

Heat and cold treatments can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. Heat treatments can include taking a long, warm shower or bath in the morning to help ease stiffness and using an electric blanket or moist heating pad to reduce discomfort overnight.

Can you have both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is It Possible to Have Both? It is possible to have both OA and RA. A previous joint injury can lead to both diseases, but OA is more likely to develop as you age. Likewise, as people with RA age, they are at risk of getting OA.