The estimated number of Americans suffering from arthritis increased sixty percent from the year 1997 to 2002, which includes seventy million people. Though the number of aging population of sufferers is increasing, the doctors say that using arthritis cures early on can help lessen many symptoms.

Currently, there are more than one hundred kinds of arthritis but all these involve the inflammation of joints.

Though severity and symptoms differ from one person to another, the most common signs or arthritis include swelling, stiffness, pain, redness, tenderness and warmth.

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized as painful inflammation, stiffness and swelling of the body, which usually attacks in the morning.

Osteoarthritis is the stiffness with no chills, fever or swelling. Aside from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, other types of arthritis are systematic lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. Osteoporosis commonly affects elder people due to a degenerative illness from an ongoing loss of cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects individuals between twenty-five to fifty-five years old and is determined by a stiff and burning sensation in the arms, hands, legs, knuckles and feet.

Fibromyalgia is a familiar disorder that does not go away and known to be caused by nervous system malfunction. People who suffer from SLE or systematic lupus erythematosus experience fatigue, fevers, joint pains, malaise and myalgias.

Studies show that early arthritis cures can prevent deformity, overwhelming pain and long-term disability. Arthritis treatments include corticosteroids and disease modifying drugs. Though complete arthritis cures are not yet available, these medications can help manage the pain caused by arthritis attacks and bring back mobility. Furthermore, physical therapy can provide additional relief.

Exercise is known to be beneficial for people who are suffering from arthritis. Exercise tends to relieve joint stiffness, reduce stress on the joints, help strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility and keep the cartilage and bone tissue healthy and strong. Most experts recommend performing exercises for patients with arthritis. It is best to do a minimum of thirty minutes of physical activity. Make sure to talk to your doctor to know the right exercises for you.

Yoga is also helpful for people with arthritis because it can help reduce physical and mental stress and achieve muscle and joint flexibility. In addition, yoga tends to help patients improve their mood, confidence, relaxation, self-awareness, motion range, concentration, blood circulation, and reduction of pain as well as the health of tendons, bones, joint ligaments and muscles.

In performing any kind of exercises, make sure to breathe properly during the exercise because oxygenation is necessary to reduce fatigue and promote better circulation and healthy heart rate. It is helpful to be aware of your own body and identify any symptoms of swelling of joints or any increased weakness.

There are coping strategies and relaxation techniques in managing the symptoms of arthritis. Relaxation techniques are helpful in the healing process of any illness especially with arthritis. Meditation is one form of relaxation that is proven to have positive effects to the body. Furthermore, hypnosis can also allow you to be in the deep meditating state wherein you can completely relax your body and the mind.