Most people think of joint pain when they think of arthritis but, depending on the type of arthritis, other symptoms can crop up.
Here's how to spot some of the most common signs of different types of arthritis.
Arthritis can cause painful symptoms that make daily activities challenging, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
Dr. Paul DeMarco, NIAMS Rheumatoid Fellowship Training Program director, explained that "it is extremely important to understand the type of arthritis afflicting the sufferer, as some arthritis syndromes have effects throughout the body."
To help you better understand just how arthritis can affect the body, here is a list of eight of the most common types:
Here are some common arthritis symptoms, broken down by the type of arthritis the patient has:
Inflammatory arthritis symptoms
Inflammatory arthritis occurs when an overactive immune system causes joint inflammation, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HHS), in New York City.
Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis include:
These symptoms are often experienced as strong flare-ups, followed by a period of inactivity.
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis, and it usually happens to people with psoriasis, according to NIAMS.
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include:
"PsA is usually not found on the same joints on both sides of the body, so it is asymmetric,"DeMarco noted.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis is also a type of inflammatory arthritis. More specifically, it's an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks its own joint tissues. It can occur throughout the body, but usually affects the hands, wrists and feet, according to NIAMS.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:
Unlike PsA, rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting over 32 million U.S. adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's caused by wear and tear on joint cartilage as people age.
"Symptoms tend to occur more slowly over time, first occurring every now and then, and then becoming more chronic,"Scripps Clinic rheumatologist Dr. Kavitta Allem said in a recent interview for San Diego Health.
NIAMS states that osteoarthritis symptoms may include:
Gout symptoms
Gout is also a type of inflammatory arthritis, caused by too much uric acid in the blood. This triggers crystals to form on the joints. The CDC states that it usually affects just one joint at a time, usually in a foot, ankle, or knee.
Gout symptoms include:
"The joints that have gout, the symptoms come on very suddenly, generally over the course of a night,"Allem noted.
Juvenile arthritis symptoms
The Arthritis Foundation explains that juvenile arthritis is a group of arthritis conditions that affect children under the age of 16.
Although symptoms may vary, here are some of the most common:
Infectious arthritis symptoms
Infectious arthritis (septic arthritis) is caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection of the joint tissues and fluids. More children are affected than adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The symptoms of infectious arthritis include:
Reactive arthritis symptoms
NIAMS states that reactive arthritis occurs due to an infection, but symptoms don't start until the infection is cleared up. They may include:
When to seek help for arthritis symptoms
"If you're feeling swelling or pain in your joints, or something is limiting your ability to be active, you should see a doctor,"Allem explained. "There are new treatments for arthritis to help you feel better and get back to what you enjoy."
