What is arthritis?
The US National Library of Medicine1 says that if you have trouble moving around or feel pain and stiffness in your body, you could have arthritis. In the majority of cases arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints.
Therefore, Arthritis is a disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints

What causes arthritis?

As there are so many forms of arthritis, there isn't a single answer to this question.
Most types of arthritis are caused by many factors acting together. You may be naturally more likely to develop certain disorders as a result of your genetic make-up. A variety of external factors may increase the risk further if you're susceptible to the condition in question. These include environmental factors – e.g. previous injury, infection, smoking, and occupations which are very demanding physically. But for many conditions there’s a strong element of chance.

Genetics and family risks
Most forms of arthritis run in families to a small extent. The way your body is made (based on the genes passed on from your parents) makes you more or less likely to develop the disease in question. Arthritis Research UK supports research that’s helping us to understand the genetic side of arthritis. We believe this could lead to the ability to prevent some forms of arthritis.

Lifestyle and trigger factors
Arthritis can start suddenly without any obvious cause, and at any age. Sometimes something in your lifestyle or medical history – or a combination of these – could be responsible. A number of factors may increase your risk of developing a condition if you’re already susceptible to it:
• A physically demanding job can increase your risk of osteoarthritis, particularly if it involves heavy repetitive activity.
• A previous injury can also increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
• Infections or an allergic reaction can cause short-lived arthritis.
• Some foods may appear to make your arthritis worse, although your diet or a food intolerance are unlikely to cause arthritis.




Get the Facts
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to learn more about the disease and its potential impact. However, pinning down the facts about arthritis can be difficult. Despite striking more than 50 million Americans, arthritis is an often misunderstood disease with a core of common myths surrounding it.
Myth #1: Arthritis is just minor aches and pains associated with getting older.
Fact: Arthritis is actually a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders consisting of more than 100 different diseases or conditions that can affect people of all ages, races and genders.

• Arthritis is not just a disease of old age. Two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, including 300,000 children.

• Of the more than 50 million Americans with arthritis, more than 36 million are Caucasians, more than 4.6 million are African-Americans and 2.9 million are Hispanic.

• Arthritis can take many forms, but three of the common diseases that make up arthritis are: Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a progressive degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage associated with risk factors, such as overweight/obesity, history of joint injury and age.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a systemic disease characterized by the inflammation of the membranes lining the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, swelling and sometimes severe joint damage.

• Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger.


Myth #2: Arthritis is not a serious health problem.
Fact: Arthritis places a growing burden on the health care and economic systems in this country.
• Each year, people with arthritis account for 44 million outpatient visits and 992,100 hospitalizations.
• Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States.

• Arthritis is actually a more frequent cause of activity limitations than heart disease, cancer or diabetes.

• Within 20 years the number of people with arthritis will soar. By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis, unless the trend is reversed.

Myth #3: People with arthritis should avoid exercising.
Fact: Exercise is a valuable tool in the fight against arthritis.

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services there is strong evidence indicating that both endurance and resistance types of exercise provide considerable disease-specific benefits for people with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatic conditions.
• A growing body of research indicates that exercise, weight management and the avoidance of joint injury can go a long way in helping to prevent OA.

• Every one pound of weight loss results in four pounds of pressure taken off each knee.

Myth #4: Not much can be done for arthritis.
Fact: Relief is available and new treatments are in the pipeline.

One medicinal beverage known to treat Arthritis is Noni juice.


*Noni juice Alleviates symptoms of arthritis:
There are several ways in which Noni alleviates the undesirable symptoms of arthritis. Pain is the number one complaint with arthritis. Because Noni has analgesic qualities, it can help relieve this pain. Noni has also been shown to contain scopoletin, which has anti-inflammatory and histamine-inhibiting effects, both of which are excellent for the promotion of smooth joint movement. The cellular-enhancing qualities of Noni may also minimise damage to the joints and other involved tissues.

Thanks for the article. Yes, it has to be healed as soon as it is possible. It is a very serious problem indeed. There are some new rheumatoid arthritis treatment methods like cell treatment which allows to treat it really effective. Go to a doctor, that is the real solution