Arthritis refers to an inflammation of the joint. It’s the leading cause of disability in the United States, and people of all ages and sexes can have arthritis.

Over 300,000 children in the United States suffer from a type of arthritis. However, it is more common in women and the older generation.

If you have arthritis, you may feel intermittent or sharp pain in your joints, neck, back, hands, ankles, or feet.

You may also experience difficulty in walking, fatigue, and weak muscles. Your joints may be stiff, tender, or swollen.

There are over 100 types of arthritis and associated diseases.

The most common types include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Osteoarthritis is a very common type of arthritis, accounting for about 80% of arthritis patients. If you have osteoarthritis, it could be as a result of:

• Family history of the disease
• Trauma
• Joint malalignment
• Gait, or the natural way you walk
• Abnormal biomechanics

While the early stages of osteoarthritis are associated with inflammation and no joint damage, the more advanced stages can lead to immobility of your joint with complete joint destruction.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of your immune system.

The immune system attacks the joints, causing severe destruction of the articular surfaces. It can often lead to severe deformities and joint damage.

If you have fibromyalgia, you may feel your joints and muscles are stiff and often painful to move. You might also experience chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, muscle aches, and pain across your foot or body.

Fibromyalgia happens because your body doesn’t manufacture enough chemicals to control or regulate pain. Although the exact cause is not known, it has been linked to stress and physical or mental illness. Common risk factors include:

• Family medical history
• Presence of other diseases or infection
• Emotional or physical abuse
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety and depression
• A sedentary lifestyle