Arthritis is a condition in people that basically affects the bones, joints, ligaments and other tissues connected to these. This condition can also be found in other mammals such as dogs, cats and many others. There are many different kinds of arthritis and the causes may differ according to the type that afflicts the individual. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common forms of arthritis there is and this can usually be encountered in people with advanced age but may also occur in younger individuals. Due to the somewhat painful and uncomfortable nature of this condition, many people are interested in what causes it and how to manage it in their lives.

The different types may also have different causes which makes the disease quite large when it comes to types and subtypes. Each of the different forms of arthritis has similar manifestations or symptoms per person. This means that all individuals afflicted with osteoarthritis will have common symptoms. The same goes for the individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and so with the other forms of the condition.

Osteoarthritis

This form of arthritis is commonly caused by injuries or trauma to the joints and the bones but studies also indicate that it may also be prevalent in families with a history of the disease. It is particularly common in siblings, especially identical twins, when the condition is common in their family. In spite of these probable factors that may contribute to osteoarthritis, additional research is being done regarding the effects of infections, allergies and fungi to a person with regards to the disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The main cause or causes of rheumatoid arthritis is still basically not known up to now. Many theories point to a disorder in the autoimmune system in which the immune system of the body attacks certain cells thinking it is dangerous for the body. This form of arthritis is quite painful and is basically degenerative. This type of arthritis is also known to affect other organs of the body such as the lungs, kidneys, skin and also contribute to atherosclerosis which affects the heart and blood vessels. This type of arthritis is by far one of the most damaging and debilitating.

The other forms of arthritis also have different causes from the ones stated above. Although there may be similarities among the many different kinds, there is always something that is different for each kind. Some symptoms of the condition may also be similar to each form.