What kind of arthritis do you have is a question that you will always be asked. The American Arthritis Foundation reports that there are nearly 100 different types of arthritis causing discomfort in people's joints today!

Each comes with its own set of symptoms and treatments, making it important to receive proper diagnosis by a rheumatologist before setting off on a treatment path.

The odds are, if you are having persistent joint pain and swelling) lasting more than two weeks), you suffer from some form of arthritis.

Some kinds are rather mild, with little, or no adverse effects on daily life, while others may become so debilitating that surgery or other forms of high-tech treatments are necessary simply to continue doing daily chores you once took for granted.

Arthritis affects everyone differently, but some things are more common like the fact that men seem to suffer with knee, spine, and foot pain, while women tend to have pain in the fingers, hands, knees, and spine.

Arthritis is caused by an inflammation of the joint. When joints have bone-to-bone contact and grind against each other, that area becomes swollen and inflamed.

Pain can become so intense in some patients that walking becomes virtually impossible. Severe arthritis can deform hands and fingers, causing their use to be limited.

There are two main type of arthritis -- osteoarthritis and rheumatoid, while the others remain less known.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the bony part of the joint. When joints are continually stressed, and forced to work beyond their capability, they move against each other, wearing away the protective coating and surrounding membranes, oil sacs, and cartilage.

Why do some people get arthritis, and others don't? The answer isn't simple. Many researchers believe it is a combination of nutritional deficiencies, excess joint activity, and unchecked emotional issues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes good cells and tissue to be attacked by the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis initially affects the joint membranes, and later the bone structure at the joint, causing crippling deterioration of the affected joints.

Gout is a disease that causes uric acid to deposit in the joints of feet and legs that cannot be excreted through the liver. This causes severe swelling and pain.

Men suffer gout more often than women. Other risk factors include: high blood pressure; extreme alcohol consumption; diabetes and obesity.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the shoulder joints and muscles.

Neuritis, otherwise called rheumatism of the nerves is caused when the sheaths of the nerves dry out which makes them swell and become painful.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, there are many more types of arthritis - more than 100 in all - which cause pain and inflammation of the joints. Only a doctor can tell you which type you suffer from, and how best to relive its symptoms.

Proper diagnosis, however, is essential in order to start an immediate plan of action that can help slow the disease's progress, as well as offer freedom from the pain being currently felt.