Arthritis refers to joint inflammation. You may have experienced some stiffness in your joints, perhaps some pain or weakness, or in severe cases even some instability, swelling and inflammation. These symptoms can often be attributed to one form or another of arthritis (there are over 100 related conditions).

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are the three most common forms of the condition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is believed to be caused by the gradual wear on the body's joints. It tends to affect the weight bearing joints. These include the knees, ankles, hands, arms, and hips. Generally it goes undetected until the later stages, when much of the joint cartilage is already gone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is different in that the body's own immune system attacks the joint tissue. Why this happens is still largely unknown in medical circles. Symptoms include inflammation, pain, stiffness, weakness, and often a deforming of the joints. It begins in the hands, wrists and feet, and advances to the shoulders, elbows and hips.

Gout is identifiable by the high level of pain affecting a single joint. It generally occurs in the big toe, with symptoms that include intense pain, swelling, stiffness, and a warm feeling. The exact cause is unknown.

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis affects all age groups. It's more common in those over forty-five, and in the case of OA, three-fourths of the cases occur in women.

While there are no "cures" for arthritis, there are a number of ways to manage the pain and minimize many cases of the condition. For instance, adjustments in diet, increased exercise, over-the-counter medications and a positive attitude can all help reduce pain and increase flexibility. Beyond these, there are a number of prescription drugs which can used to help manage the condition as well.

Here's a quick look at the two most common prescription medications for arthritis:

1. NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) - in higher doses, NSAIDS are effective at reducing inflammation, which is why they're commonly used in the treatment of acute or chronic conditions with pain and inflammation.

2. DMARDS (Disease-Modifying Medications) - are anti-rheumatic drugs used as an early treatment to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. They aren't designed to relieve pain or to help control inflammation.

Our understanding of the cause of arthritis is still in its infancy. In fact, for most of the various forms it takes, we don't know the underlying cause. We do know that injury, joint wear, and skeletal abnormalities can result in the condition. In addition, we're aware of other contributors such as diet, poor circulation, and heredity. But so far we've been unable to pinpoint a specific cause.

Arthritic pain often ebbs and flows, and therefore can be easy to dismiss in the early stages. If you suspect your joint pain may be attributable to something more serious than the usual aches and pains of everyday living, you should speak to your doctor to discuss a diagnosis and possible treatments.