Since arthritis is caused by over one hundred medical conditions, symptoms of arthritis vary and can depend on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage in the joint degenerates. This type of athritis commonly affects feet, knees, hips and fingers. It affects at least 16 million Americans mostly older than 45 years.

Reumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the body attacks itself. Therefore the immune system attacks the synovial membrane of the joints. This can severely damage the joints and deform them. This form of arthritis affects the whole body. It can cause fatigue, weight loss and anemia. It also affects the heart, eyes and lungs. It occurs in about 2.1 million Americans. Women are three times more prone to Reumatoid athritis than men.

Gout arthritis causes sudden, severe attacks in the big toe. But any joint can be affected. It occurs because of deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. It affects about 1 million Americans.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritus causes chronic inflammation of the spine which can result in the vertebrae becoming fused and the spine becoming rigid. Most of the people with this disease have a gene in common known as HLA-B27. It is harder to diagnose in women.

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation of the bone and joint tissues and like rheumatoid athritis causes the body to attack itself. 5 percent of people with this disease have chronic skin disease and problems. It usually affects fingers and spine.

In general, the symptoms of arthritis can be vague and confusing. But if you are aware of the different types of arthritus which affect different areas of the body, it will be easier to diagnose.