Archive: Arthritis<br />what is arthritis?<br />Arthritis is not a single disorder; it is the inflammation of the joints which causes severe pain. Arthritis is a term that describes over 100 medical conditions. The most common forms are osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. This disease cause inflammation in joints and can be due to a variety of factors including age, weight, genetics, previous injuries and some other illnesses.<br />Symptoms:<br />• persistent joint pain<br />• pain or tenderness in the joints which gets worse with movement or activity<br />• inflammation caused by joint swelling, stiffness, redness and or warmth<br />• unexplained weight loss<br />• extreme tiredness or weakness<br />• crepitus - this is a crackling or grating feeling or sound under the skin or around the lungs; or in the joints.<br />Conventional treatment includes use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids -typically cortisone injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These certainly can ease the painful effects.