DISEASES >> ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. There are different forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout and pseudogout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, still's disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

In this article, we’ll briefly look at osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (sometimes called degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthrosis and hypertrophic osteoarthritis) is a chronic disorder associated with damage to the cartilage and surrounding tissues and is characterized by pain, stiffness and loss of function.

Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder, often begins in the 40s and 50s and affects almost all people to some degree by age 80.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis in which joints, usually including those of the hands and feet, are inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, and often destruction of joints.

Chances of RS affecting women is thrice than it does on men. It usually affects people in the age range of 35–50 years.