There are more than 100 types of arthritis.
Symptoms tend to vary depending on the type of arthritis.
If you have osteoarthritis , for example, you may experience aching in the joints, especially after they are used. Your joints may take on a swollen, knobby appearance. With rheumatoid arthritis , you may feel pain and stiffness in your joints at first, then notice swelling and redness, lose weight, and your appetite may decrease. If you develop any of these symptoms and they last more than two weeks, you should see a doctor. The sooner you receive treatment for arthritis, the more successful the outcome is likely to be.