For a while now you have been experiencing stiff, painful joints. It has been harder to move around, and you are wondering if there is a hidden reason. The reality is that while you could be suffering from the onset of your older years, you might also be suffering from arthritis. So, you need to find out what arthritis is.

Arthritis Affects Millions

First of all, do not feel alone, because millions of people suffer from arthritis, and many others are being diagnosed with it on a daily basis. When it comes to figuring out what arthritis is, you first have to be aware of the fact that there are many different branches of arthritis, the most prevalent of which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What arthritis is has everything to do with joints and how they function. Healthy joints promote agility, while arthritic joints are stiff and cause immobility. Arthritis is what confines many older people to the use of wheelchairs and canes.

When trying to figure out what arthritis is, the main feature is persistent joint pain as opposed to just occasional joint pain. The joints will not only stiffen, but they will also become swollen, which can often distort the area that is affected.

Osteoarthritis is perhaps the most prevalent kind of arthritis. The stiffness and inflammation in this kind of arthritis is caused by a breakdown of the cartilage in the joints, and usually affects areas fingers, the spine, hips, and knees.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that is caused when the autoimmune system begins attacking itself. The distortion and inflammation associated with this kind of arthritis is generally thought to be worse than the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.

If you think that you might be suffering from arthritis, the first thing that you should do is go to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. If you do, in fact, have arthritis, you might be prescribed medication if it is particularly severe. If the arthritis is less severe, you might be advised to get a certain kind of lotion to rub into your joints.

Arthritis can be debilitating, but you can certainly get one step ahead of it by taking it easy while the pain is at its worst. Arthritis symptoms can persist for very long periods of time and then all of a sudden stop for a while. So, it is up to you to recognize the onset of symptoms so that you can treat them right away and make your arthritis more manageable.