Adams Media - Arthritis: Types of Arthritis: The most important information you need to improve your health

It can be completely unnerving to have nothing wrong with you one day and severe pain the next day. Since pain is a somewhat common symptom associated with many different conditions, it is hard to know initially what to do or how to react to the sudden change. Not every type of arthritis develops suddenly, but that sense of confusion that builds when you accept that its not going to go away can sometimes lead you down the wrong path.

No matter what type of arthritis you have, early diagnosis and early treatment can help prevent joint damage and disability. There are many approaches to treating arthritis, both conventional and alternative. There are myriad books written on the subject. The Internet provides even more information about arthritis. It can almost be considered too much information, because a person experiencing the initial onset of arthritis symptoms often doesnt know where to begin. Should you pick up a book about osteoarthritis and learn all about it? Maybe you should choose the book about rheumatoid arthritis? Perhaps its sufficient to self-treat with over-the-counter arthritis medications? How do you know you are making the right decisions?

Choosing the right starting point can impact the course of your disease. Its imperative to be evaluated by a rheumatologist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating arthritis and related conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to getting proper treatment and managing the disease.

Chronic arthritis affects every aspect of daily living. This practical guide will show you how to live better with arthritis. The day you are diagnosed with arthritis is the first day of your new reality. Your new reality can overwhelm you, or you can choose to face it with courage and perseverance. Your willingness to accept your new reality and adjust and adapt to it, as well as your ability to cope and an unwillingness to give up, are all factors that will influence how well you live with arthritis.

The intent of this book is to help you learn about the disease, teach you to be your own advocate, help you make better decisions, and inspire you to realize that there is still a high quality of life after an arthritis diagnosis. The first step: Understanding that change is inevitable.

If youd like to learn more about arthritis, check out The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis , available in print (978-1-59869-410-9) and eBook (978-1-60550-230-4) formats.

Though the name seems representative of a single disease, arthritis is actually a group of diseases that have symptoms affecting the joints of the body and the tissues that surround the joints. Over 100 different types of arthritis range from mild forms of the disease to types that can be severe and disabling. Some types are rare, while about a dozen are considered common types of arthritis.