Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years.

One type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is often related to aging or to an injury. Other types occur when your immune system, which normally protects your body from infection, attacks your body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this kind of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of the disease that happens in children.

Cause of Arthritis

There are two major categories of arthritis.

The first type is caused by wear and tear on the articular cartilage (osteoarthritis) through the natural aging process, through constant use, or through trauma (post-traumatic arthritis).

The second type is caused by one of a number of inflammatory processes.

Joint Injuries: Damage to a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in that joint.

Infection: Many microbial agents can infect joints and potentially cause the development of various forms of arthritis.

Occupation: Certain occupations involving repetitive knee bending and squatting are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Arthritis Symptoms

Stiff neck, most often one of the very first signs. Neck stiffness tends to grow progressively worse over time.
Radiating pain to the bottom of the skull and/or to the shoulder and down the arm. This radiating pain may seem like a stabbing or a burning, or it might present itself as a dull ache

arthritis is not a condition to be ignored. Left untreated, it can progress to the point where debilitating joint damage severely diminishes quality of life. Inflammation can also cause pain in the eyes and in the chest wall, making breathing difficult. If the inflammation reaches the heart, it can eventually lead to heart failure.

What's the treatment?

There isn't a cure for arthritis, but it can be kept under control enabling people to get on with living fulfilling lives.

In conventional treatment, painkillers, such as paracetamol, are essential. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with episodes of more severe pain. It's important to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for a long time. These medications, known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can damage the lining of the stomach causing ulcers, which sometimes bleed. They should always be taken with or after food.

Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage. In the short term, corticosteroids can make you feel dramatically better. But when used for many months or years, they may become less effective and cause serious side effects. Side effects may include easy bruising, thinning of bones, cataracts, weight gain, a round face and diabetes.

Exercise -- Exercise is an essential element of treatment for psoriatic arthritis. An exercise program can be done at home or with a physical therapist. Physical activity helps to strengthen, maintain and improve joint range of motion. For best results, exercise should be done on a regular basis.