There is a strong chance that a person is suffering from arthritis if he or she experiences muscle pain and it continues for more than two to three days. This chronic disease is a very common disorder, one that affects lots of people all around the world. The major symptom of arthritis is pain in the bone joints, but some arthritis sufferers may also feel pain in certain organs in the body.

The truth is, the term arthritis is a Latin word that means inflammation of joints. Inflammation of the joints is caused by arthritis due to damage to the cartilage. Patients could suffer from long-term joint damage which could ultimately lead to disability from severe arthritis pain if they suffer from arthritis. Arthritic patients commonly feel pain in the early morning hours that slowly subsides as the day progresses.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The doctor will not be able to find which type of arthritis you are suffering from unless there is a thorough examination. Arthritis can stem from injuries and strains caused by sports, repetitive motion, overexertion etc. Arthritic diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases; septic arthritis, caused by joint infection; and the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease that largely affects older people.

Did you know that arthritis has three stages?

Swelling is the first stage of arthritis. The next stage would be a rapid division and growth of the cells. The cells release specific enzymes, which erode the bone, causing the joint to lose its shape, during the third stage. It is then the arthritis pain becomes unbearable. Since this is a systemic disease, it can migrate and affect other body organs. It would be better if you are able to detect arthritis at its early stage before it spreads to other parts of the body. Proper therapy and medication can be used to treat arthritis.

Treatment. Examples of arthritis treatment are medicine, exercise, thermal modalities, joint protection and surgery.

2. Medicine. In the market, there are several effective arthritic medications available for proper arthritis treatment. Helpful in most cases are anti-inflammatory drugs. However you should consult a doctor before buying any medicine.

Exercise. Doing this will strengthen muscles and joints plus increases blood circulation in those areas. In reducing arthritis pain, yoga is very therapeutic.

d) Rest. Rest provides good arthritis relief, as proper rest helps the body to conserve energy and allows the body to heal and reduce pain.

e) Thermal modalities. With cold and heat compresses, short-term relief will be given to stiffness and pain.

f) Joint protection. This allows the patient to move with minimal stress to the joints. Available on the market today are common arthritis relief products such as joint protections like knee supports and back belts.