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When people hear the word arthritis, they most likely think of pain associated with getting older. Many people probably don't realize that there are actually 100 different conditions that fall under the category of arthritis.

Arthritis refers to the inflammation of the joints. The inflammation can cause the joints to become tender, swollen and stiff, which causes pain. Different types of arthritis can be caused by disease, injury, genetic defects or infections. The cause of some types of arthritis is not known and there is no known cure for arthritis at this time.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is what most people think of when they hear the word arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects more than 20 million adults in the U.S. According to Webmd "the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones within the joints gradually wears away." This causes the bone surfaces to rub together which can cause some pain and deformity as well as damage to the muscles and nerves.

People who are overweight increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the lower weight-bearing joints, like the knees. Misuse of anabolic steroids can cause early osteoarthritic degeneration and people who are athletic are also more likely to develop OA early because of the overuse of certain joints.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis is also referred to as degenerative joint disease, ostoarthrosis, hypertrophic arthritis and degenerative arthritis. It is more common in women, possibly because of women having wider hips that place more weight, and more long-term stress, on the lower joints.

People who suffer from arthritis can keep it under control by using medication and exercising. Exercise can help because it keeps joints mobile and helps to rebuild strength. You should talk to your doctor to determine the appropriate type of exercise for your condition.

Apart from OA, which usually starts in your mid 40s, there are other forms of arthritis that can affect people who are much younger. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people as young as 25 and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects children under the age of 16.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis. It affects 2 million people in the U.S. alone. It is an autoimmune disorder that can damage the heart, lungs, eyes, nerves and muscles as well as joints. It is more common in women than in men but is less severe for women than for men.

Juvenile RA affects children who are less than 16 years old. Children who have pain, swelling and stiffness in their joints, as well as problems sleeping and walking may have JRA. It is important to get a child diagnosed as soon as possible because this illness can cause inflammatory eye disease, which could lead to blindness. JRA could also harm organs like the heart, liver and spleen. Children are usually able to overcome the disease with proper treatment.

For more information on the types of arthritis visit the Helium article group "the different types of arthritis" or websites like webmd.com, mayoclinic.com or the Arthritis Foundation at arthritis.org

Learn more about this author, Veronica Beaudry.
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