Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement. It can affect joints in any part of the body. It often is a chronic disease, which means that it can affect you over a long period of time. The more serious forms can cause swelling, warmth, redness, and pain.

There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis and many different symptoms and treatments. Scientists do not know what causes most forms of arthritis. They understand some better than others.

Common Forms of Arthritis

The three most common kinds of arthritis in older people are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in older people. It mostly affects cartilage—the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. OA often affects the hands and the large weight-bearing joints of the body, such as knees and hips.

OA occurs when cartilage begins to fray, wear, and decay. In some cases, all of the cartilage may wear away between the bones of the joint, leaving bones that rub against each other. Symptoms can range from stiffness and mild pain that comes and goes, to severe joint pain. OA can cause:

• Joint pain,
   
• Less joint motion,
   
• And sometimes, disability.

Scientists think there may be several causes for OA in different joints. OA in the hands or hips may run in families. OA in the knees is linked with being overweight. Injuries or overuse may cause OA in joints such as knees, hips, or hands.

Treatment. Rest, exercise, a healthy, well-balanced diet, and learning the right way to use your joints are key parts of any arthritis treatment program. Treatment is different for each kind of arthritis.

Right now there are no treatments that cure OA, except surgery to replace joints. But improving the way you use your joints through rest and exercise and keeping your weight down will help you control the pain.

There are some drugs that help people manage OA pain. They are called COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen). These drugs reduce swelling without use of stronger drugs like cortisone or other steroids. COX-2 inhibitors are a newer type of drug. They work like NSAIDs but may cause fewer side effects.

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