Inflammatory arthritis includes a variety of illnesses that attack the joints because of immune system problems. These conditions include rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders happen when the immune system attacks its own tissue, causing pain and inflammation. With reactive arthritis, the body reacts to a bacterial infection. Psoriatic arthritis is related to a medical condition known as psoriasis, a skin disease.

Arthritis affects everyone differently. Although all arthritis conditions includes painful joint inflammation, some people have mild symptoms while others are almost crippled by the disease. Arthritis can feel as though it is taking over your life, especially when the pain gets really bad.

There are quite a few different possibilities when it comes to the causes of inflammatory arthritis. If your lifestyle includes unhealthy habits such as heavy smoking or drinking, you may be at increased risk. Genetics can also play a role. And people with certain blood types can also be more likely to get inflammatory arthritis.

The symptoms of inflammatory arthritis are often so subtle and general that it is easy to mistake them for signs of something else, even just a regular cold or flu. An active condition can produce fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, and muscular aches and pains.

Another commonly experienced symptom is inflammation, hence the name. Joints can become painfully stiff and swollen for no apparent reason.

If left unchecked, chronic inflammation causes serious damage to cartilage, joints and other body tissue so it is important that you report any symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible. The good news is that inflammatory arthritis is usually pretty easy to diagnose. Luckily, once diagnosed it is easy to treat and there is a wide variety of treatment options available to arthritis patients.

Conventional medical treatments will help to relieve the pain that is associated with your arthritis, but bear in mind that as of today there are no cures for this condition. So although your symptoms will likely be relieved, the medical treatments will not be able to address the actual root of the problem.