Arthritis - It's painful

Arthritis is a kind of pain especially in joints. The word arthritis is derived from the Greek words: arthron for "joint," and itis for "inflammation." The effects of arthritis are often mild, but in some cases they can be crippling. People of all ages, including children and young adults, can develop arthritis. The damage that occurs can change the bones and other tissues of the joints, sometimes affecting their shape and making movement hard and painful.

Causes:

Genetic or inherited
Age is also the factor. As people grow older they are more likely to develop arthritis.
Excess body weight can lead to arthritis.
Previous major injuries can be part of the cause of arthritis.
Some specific occupations seem to have a higher risk of developing arthritis than other jobs, such as assembly line workers and heavy construction.
Person suffering from joint infection, multiple episodes of gout, or other medical conditions, can develop arthritis of the joint.

Symptoms:

Joint pain
Pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement or activity
Joint deformity
Swelling or loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint
Frequent weight loss

Fatigue

Nodules, or lumps, that most commonly occur near the elbow

Acute joint inflammation with heat and redness

Treatment: The proper kind of treatment and therapy will vary depending upon the underlying cause and upon individual factors that your physician will discuss with you.

Physical Therapy: When we suffer from arthritis often avoid moving the affected joint because of the pain. A physical therapist can help to work out the joint stiffness without damaging it. This may involve building strength in the muscles that surround the affected joint - stronger muscles help stabilize a weakened joint. You will also be taught the best way to move from one position to another.
Occupational therapy: This can teach you how to reduce the strain on your joints as you go about your daily activities. The occupational therapist can help you modify your home and workplace so that your movements do not aggravate your arthritis.

Therapy can help a person suffering from arthritis to lead a better life. They will help you learn more about your arthritis, devise a dietary plan if you are overweight and overstressing the joints as a result, help you make better decisions about what shoes to buy if that part of the body is affected.

Medicines:

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, and others) and dicolfenac (Voltaren), have immediate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and are relatively safe.
Second-line drugs used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include hydroxychloroquine, gold, penicillamine, azathioprine, sulfasalazine and methotrexate.

Prevention: Once arthritis is diagnosed and it's in early stage you can prevent the disease from growing by changing your life style:

Exercise is proven to help reduce the pain and fatigue of arthritis. Proper exercises performed on a daily basis are an important part of arthritis treatment.
Regular physical activity helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
Keep joints flexible, and help protect joints from further damage.
Consumption of green tea may prevent arthritis damage and benefit the arthritis patient by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage breakdown.
Proper diet especially rich in calcium