Arthritis Types: Know the Differences and What Treatments Work

When people say they have arthritis, a group of conditions that cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Also known as joint inflammation, it’s not just one disease—it’s a whole family of disorders that affect millions differently. Some forms wear down cartilage over time. Others turn your immune system against your own joints. And some flare up suddenly after eating certain foods. Knowing which type you’re dealing with changes everything—from what meds help to how you move your body every day.

The most common kind is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear, often in knees, hips, and hands. It shows up slowly, gets worse with age, and responds well to movement, weight control, and simple pain relievers. Then there’s rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition where your body attacks the lining of your joints, causing swelling, fatigue, and sometimes damage to organs. This one needs stronger drugs—like DMARDs or biologics—to stop it from wrecking your joints long-term. Psoriatic arthritis, linked to skin psoriasis, causes swollen fingers, back pain, and nail changes. And gout, a type triggered by uric acid crystals in the joint, often hits the big toe with sudden, burning pain after喝酒 or eating red meat. These aren’t just different symptoms—they’re different diseases with different treatments.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides based on actual patient experiences and medical research. You’ll read about how to tell if your joint pain is from aging or an autoimmune flare. You’ll learn which medications help—or hurt—depending on your type. You’ll see how diet, exercise, and even insurance appeals play into managing each condition. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, usable info to help you take control—whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with this for years.