Arthritis is basically inflammation of the joints in the body. This health condition describes a compilation of over 100 different types of arthritis conditions. It is not simply just one disease.

Known as rheumatic diseases, arthritis and its cousin diseases can invade the body and destroy your health. It can rob you of your mobility and your ability to enjoy basic daily activities.

Arthritis causes the joints and surrounding structures, such as tendons and muscles to become horribly inflamed which leads to pain. Your body's natural reaction to an injury or illness is to respond with inflammation. With this protective response, your body can respond with pain, swelling and redness in the joints.

The various types of arthritis develop from different root causes but in general arthritis attacks the connective tissues, the joints and the muscles. Many types of arthritis are chronic diseases with periods of quiet and calm as well as periods of extreme exacerbation. It is the quiet and then the rage of exacerbation that exhaust so many of those who suffer with arthritis of all varieties. It seems things are going well and then a trend downhill, often followed by another period of quiet remission.

With arthritis, it is important to remember that you do not need to give up just because of this diagnosis. It is a known fact that you are going to have to be vigilant to maintain the highest level of health possible, but with active life style management you have a shot at reaching that goal.

If you have arthritis, make different choices. Do not settle for a limited life. Look for things that you can do to adapt your activities so that they still suit the new you and the arthritis condition tagging along.

While there are many arthritis resources available to assist you, the Arthritis Foundation is one of the best available on today's market. Designed to provide you with the tools and resources you need to better manage your arthritis and your life, the Arthritis Foundation is such a valuable resource to anyone fighting arthritis.

Researchers continue to dig for the underlying cause of arthritis and yet while that search continues, there are many more arthritis treatments available on today's market than were available even a decade ago. Even though there is currently no known cure for arthritis, the good news is that today's treatment options can make a significant difference.

While it may seem that arthritis is a dirty rotten scoundrel invading your life and taking control, the fact is that with today's medical advances and your decision to actively manage your life and condition will give you a leg up on taking back control of your life.

So make a decision that you are just not going to take it anymore, and don't accept a diagnosis of arthritis as a life stealing bug, accept the challenge to aggressively and actively manage the diagnosis. Go on, take your life back. Arthritis doesn't have to have control.