What is arthritis?
Arthritis ('arth' meaning joint, 'itis' meaning inflammation) consists of more than 100 different conditions that can cause pain in the body's muscles and joints.

Cartilage is a smooth slippery substance that covers most of the joints. It ensures an even, fluid motion of the joints. A damaged, narrowed and degenerated cartilage causes joint arthritis. The cartilage may be lost by the degenerative process or by inflammation making joint movement a painful process. An inflamed joint may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red.

Some forms of arthritis cause mild symptoms which can be controlled with proper care and treatment, for example tendinitis (as in 'tennis elbow') and bursitis. Others are very serious and if left untreated may lead to severe disability, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Each type has a unique treatment program but the common factor among all types of arthritis is its earlier diagnosis. Earlier the diagnosis, sooner the treatment can be started, to avoid disability and permanent damage.

Major types of arthritis.
There are more than 100 classified types of arthritis or rheumatic disease. The most common ones include the following:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is one of the oldest and most common types of arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Cartilage breakdown causes pain and movement loss because of the rubbing of bones against each other in the absence of the cartilage. It ranges from very mild to very severe and commonly affects middle-aged and older people. OA's main target is hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet and the back.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Another common form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is typically chronic, meaning longer lasting. RA causes the inflammation in the lining of the joints and/or other internal organs, affecting many different joints, which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling.

Bone and cartilage get invaded and damaged by the inflamed joint lining, the synovium, while the inflammatory cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage. Loss of shape and alignment of the joint, causes pain and movement loss.

Some other major types of arthritis include: Anklyosing Spondylitis, Cervical Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Infectious Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lumbosacral Arthritis, Osteonecrosis, Osteoporosis, Paget's Disease, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reiter's Syndrome, Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatoid Foot and Ankle.

Who has Arthritis?
The general perception is that arthritis is a disease of old people attacking only at an old age. But it's not true. It strikes babies in diapers and the young alike. In the United States, the prevalence of arthritis is high for all demographic groups, but especially higher among women, older people and the less educated.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis?
Arthritis symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, inflammation and limited movement of joints. These symptoms may come up suddenly or slowly over time including sleeplessness, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches.

The most important every day tasks like getting out of bed in the morning, buttoning buttons, writing, sewing, meal preparation, dressing, sleeping, walking, climbing stairs, arising from a chair or a toilet seat and attending to matters of personal hygiene may become impaired to some extent by the arthritis pain and joint stiffness. For a number of people arthritis pain is not a big issue than mobility impairment.

How to fight arthritis?
A chronic disease, arthritis can become a companion for a long time and maybe one's lifetime. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery.

By avoiding excessive stress, using assistive devices to help you around the house and staying at your ideal weight will help relieve pressure on your hips and knees and protecting your joints.

The major goal for arthritis patients is the preservation or improvement of daily tasks by treatment. The best way to live and fight the disease is having a positive mental approach and the support of family and friends. This will definitely help in performing your daily activities continually.

If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, or swelling around a joint for more than two weeks now, it is a wake up call to go and see your physician. Only he can tell if you have arthritis through blood tests and x-rays, so as to become able in deciding the best treatment for your problem.

Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.