About Arthritis?

Arthritis is a rheumatic disease that plagues most people beyond the age of fifty. Arthritis can be really difficult to live with, as the pain is so unbearable, it practically immobilizes the person. Literally speaking, arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It refers to a number of disorders such as osteoarthritis, gout, ankylosis spondylitis, systemic lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. The problem is further compounded if the person is overweight, since excess body weight puts more stress on the weight bearing joints.
When the cartilage cushion between the joints is destroyed, the joints begin to rub against each other causing stiffness, swelling, decreased mobility, and intense pain. Arthritis may be limited to only one joint or it may affect a number of joints like your hands, fingers, feet, arms, hips, and knees. The pain can be mild or severe depending from person to person eventually leading to joint deformations. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may experience periods of remission. Emotional stress and damp weather do not cause arthritis but may worsen the symptoms.
Arthritis may be caused due to a number of physiological conditions such as endocrine problems, a poor immune system, or due to an injury or infection. Usually, it has been seen that there is a genetic predisposition to arthritis. Some people suffer from food sensitivities and consuming certain foods (especially night-shade vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicum, potatoes, peppers, and brinjals) aggravates joint stiffness and swelling. Aging accelerates changes in the joints, giving rise to pain and stiffness. An altered biochemistry (due to lifestyle and poor food choices) and a lack of hydrochloric acid may also trigger painful joints. Those who suffer from arthritis typically encounter symptoms such as early morning stiffness, swelling, joint tenderness, and feeling of warmth in the joints.