The common symptoms of arthritis, pain and stiffness, are usually caused by degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). There are more than one hundred types of arthritis and they include rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Osteoarthritis is the "wear and tear" that occurs when joints are overused. It usually happens with age, but can also result from joint injury or obesity, which places additional stress on the joints. You lose your body's shock absorber. Cartilage, the slippery material that covers the ends of bones, gradually breaks down. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks parts of the body, especially the joints. This leads to inflammation, which can cause serious joint damage if left untreated. “The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis you have. The most conclusive way to find out what type of arthritis you have is to consult your doctor. Your doctor can perform a wide variety of tests to determine exactly what and where your arthritis is.Symptoms depend on which joint or joints are affected.You may have deep, aching pain, difficulty dressing, combing hair, grasping objects, bending, squatting, or climbing stairs more difficult or uncomfortable to do everyday things that you used to do with ease. Symptoms may come on gradually or start suddenly. They are often more severe than osteoarthritis. You may feel pain and stiffness and have swelling in your hands, wrists, elbows. in the shoulders, knees, feet, jaw or neck. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects multiple joints. There tends to be a symmetrical pattern. After some time, you may notice that more joints become warm or painful or swollen." "Diagnosing arthritis is the first step towards treating and managing it. There are several blood tests that your doctor will describe to you to find a specific diagnosis. Personal monitoring is also a very important part of the diagnosis. Keeping track of when your joints hurt and the level of pain you experience will allow your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis which usually develops with age or from an injury to a joint, is a problem with the immune system. If you don't diagnose and treat it in time, it could damage your joints. Sometimes, rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to understand. Symptoms can come and go and are not the same in all people who suffer from them. Your doctor will check your joints for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect several joints. Blood tests for antibodies are where doctors look for certain proteins that appear in the blood when you have rheumatoid arthritis. ""Treatment of arthritis will depend on the type of arthritis you have. If you suffer from osteoporosis and are overweight, this may be the main factor you need to address in resolving your arthritis. An example is what can happen to your knees when you are overweight. The extra pounds put more pressure on the cartilage which is squeezed between the bones. It gets damaged and worn out, so there isn't much left to cushion the joint. Therefore the easiest way to relieve pain would be to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including changing your diet and starting to exercise more. With arthritis.