Arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the United States, currently affects more than 40 million Americans. More than half suffer from one of three forms of this disease.

If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, consult your doctor.

Common Forms of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

(commonly refered to as simply arthritis), also called rheumatism or degenerative joint disease

Symptoms:	Risk Factors:
stiffness and/or swelling in the affected joint, constant or recurring pain, tenderness, warmth and/or redness in a joint and reduced joint mobility, joint deformity	age changes in bones & joints, injury to joints, menopause, overweight, physical stress

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms:	Risk Factors:
similar to osteoarthritis but also includes fatigue, fever, and an overall sense of feeling poorly, anemia, neck pain, dry eyes and mouth — and in severe cases — inflammation of blood vessels, the lining of the lungs or the membrane surrounding the heart	genetic tendency towards arthritis, smoking, infection or injury that may alter the immune system, immune deficiency disorder, this form of arthritis is two to three times more common in women than men.

Gout
Symptoms:	Risk Factors:
described as excruciating, throbbing or crushing pain, pain usually starts at night in the feet or toe, usually only 1 or 2 joints affected at a time, joint swelling, redness over and around joint, lump over joint with white, chaulky material draining from it	diet high in purines — organ meats, seafood, dried beans, alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, sickle-cell anemia