Arthritis is actually a group of conditions that affect the bone joints in the body. One in three adults suffer from some form of arthritis, and it affects almost twice as many women as men.

Arthritis includes rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are autoimmune diseases; septic arthritis, that is brought on by joint infection; and the more common osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Arthritis can also be brought on by strains and injuries caused by repetitive motion, sports, overexertion, and falls.

Arthritis

All arthritis causes pain, and it is generally worse in the morning, during movement, and will go away in time. In the elderly and children, they will sometimes deal with the pain by simply moving less or refusing to use the painful limb.

Your doctor will ask about other symptoms you may be having, including fever, skin symptoms, breathlessness, and others. If you are having other symptoms, they may be a sign of a disease other than arthritis, and your doctor may test you to be sure.

The different types of arthritis can be distinguished by how quickly the disease progresses, the age and sex of the patient, how many and which joints are affected, other symptoms the patient may have, and several other clues. Diagnosis is usually reached with blood tests and X-rays of the joints, which can show erosions or appositions.

Treatment varies depending on the precise condition, but includes surgery, drug treatment, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and pain management. There are also numerous herbal remedies that supposedly treat arthritis.

The various types of arthritis are: septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and pseudogout, juvenile arthritis, still's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.

There are also some diseases that can mimic arthritis, like Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome, multiple myeloma, osteoporosis, as well as others.

Celebrex Celebrex, also called Celecoxib is used to relieve some symptoms of arthritis, such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Be sure to tell your doctor of any allergies you have whether it is to medication or food, preservatives, or dyes. more...

Aleve Aleve, also called Naproxen, is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), and is used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis. It is also used treat other conditions, such as: gout attacks; bursitis; tendonitis; sprains, strains, or other injur more...

Azmacort Azmacort, or Triamcinolone, is one of a group of Inhalation Corticosteroids used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. When used regularly, inhalation corticosteroids decrease the number and severity of asthma attacks, but will not relieve an asthma att more...

Bextra Bextra, sometimes called Valdecoxib, is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever. more...

Celecoxib Celecoxib is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Celecoxib is also used to reduce the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), to treat acute pain, and to treat pain associated with menstruation. more...

Diclofenac Diclofenac is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This drug works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body otherwise known as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Diclofenac is used to reduce more...

Etodolac Etodolac is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body also known as prostaglandin inhibiting agents. Etodolac is used to reduce pain, inflammati more...

Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), and is used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis. It is also used treat other conditions, such as: gout attacks; bursitis; tendonitis; sprains, strains, or other injuries; or menstrual c more...

Lodine Lodine (also known as Etodolac) is one of many Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs). It is used as an analgesic, to help prevent gout, as an anti-inflammatory to help with the symptoms of arthritis, and as a remedy for certain types o more...

Methylprednisolone Corticosteroids like Methylprednisolone are used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body. They lessen swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. They are also often used for severe allergies or skin problems, asthma, or arthritis. Be more...

Mobic Mobic is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve some symptoms of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, like inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Be sure to tell your doctor of any allergies you have whether it is to more...

Nabumetone Nabumetone is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause swelling and pain in the body. It can also relieve pain and reduces fever. It also used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis more...

Naprosyn In 1976, Naprosyn was introduced as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, commonly referred to as NSAIDs. It hit the market as a prescription only drug, and in most cases it still is. Low dose Naprosyn is available in Australia, and low dose form more...

Naproxen Naproxen, also called Aleve, is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), and is used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis. It is also used treat other conditions, such as: gout attacks; bursitis; tendonitis; sprains, strains, or other injur more...

Prednisone Prednisone and other Corticosteroids are used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body. They lessen swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. They are often used as part of the treatment for a number of different diseases, such as severe more...

Relafen Relafen, also called Nabumetone, is one of many Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that is used to relieve symptoms caused by arthritis. Relafen may also be used in the treatment of other conditions, like gout attacks; bursitis; tendonitis; spr more...

Rofecoxib Rofecoxib is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is actually a new generation NSAID that belong to cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors. It works by reducing substances that cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body. more...

Triamcinolone Triamcinolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Triamcinolone reduces swelling and decreases the body's immune response. Triamcinolone is used to treat endocrine disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. I more...

Valdecoxib Valdecoxib is in a class of drugs called “COX-2” selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). COX-2 means cyclooxygenase 2 and NSAIDs works by reducing substances in the body that cause inflammation, pain, and fever. This medici more...

Vioxx The manufacturer of Vioxx (also called Rofecoxib) has announced a voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the U.S. and worldwide market. This withdrawal is due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular problems in patient more...

Voltaren Also called Diclofenac, Voltaren is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs) and are used to relieve some symptoms of arthritis, such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. They can also be used to treat gout attacks; bursitis; tendon more...