Arthritis, once dubbed the "disease of Kings", is now becoming more prevalent among the commoners.
Arthritis is a progressive inflammatory condition caused when the soft muscles in the joints become inflamed, severely restricting the movement of the joint and causing a lot of pain and discomfort. In older people, who are most susceptible to this condition, arthritis is the leading cause of restriction of movement or immobility. Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints causing severe pain and greatly reducing mobility. In severe cases and if neglected the effects can be debilitating. Arthritis is typically associated with old age and although most prevalent among the aged it can affect almost anyone, but this it is uncommon among young adults and children. Arthritis may not be a life threatening condition but it is a dreaded condition because of the extent to which it affects your life.
The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of the joints'. It is derived from two Greek words: athron, meaning joints; and itis, meaning inflammation. It is, generally, a chronic disease process. Arthritis occurs in various forms, the most frequent being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which usually occurs in the older age-group. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease which affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees, and feet, but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body.
There are a lot of different kinds of arthritis, categorized according to the extent of wear and tear in the joints and the cartilaginous tissues. Sometimes, the inflammation could be caused due to excessive wear and tear of the joints. However, the inflammation could also be caused due to autoimmune disorders. Such disorders, in which the immune system attacks the joints, are one of the leading causes of arthritis and rheumatism.
There are various types of arthritis but most forms of the condition do cause some amount of swelling and pain the joints, so if you do experience pain and stiffness in any of the joints in your body on a regular basis then it is possible that you may be suffering from arthritis. All of our bodily movements and our mobility or flexibility is dependent on the proper functioning of the joints. Swelling or inflammation of the joints, which is typical of most types of arthritis, can however cause the joints to get severely damaged over time. Some forms of arthritis can even cause problems in organs like the eyes or skin.

Types of Arthritis
• Arthritis Basics
• Gout
• Osteonecrosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Anklyosing Spondylitis
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid Foot and Ankle
• Cervical Arthritis l
• Lumbosacral Arthritis
• Paget's Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis

OA is the most common form of arthritis in the United States, affecting more than 20 million Americans. Osteoarthritis (OA) begins with the breakdown of cartilage in joints, resulting in joint pain and stiffness.
Arthritis) is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.
The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. Pain is often a constant and may be localized to the joint affected. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue.

OA commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles. When OA is found in one of these joints, there is usually a history of injury or unusual stress.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves inflammation of the lining of many different joints in your body. In some people, RA can also affect other parts of the body, including the blood, the lungs, and the heart. Inflammation of the joint lining, , can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss of normal movement.
This disease is two to three times more common in women than in men, and generally affects people between the ages of 20 and 50.However, young children can develop a form of RA called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis affects nearly 43 million Americans, roughly one American in six. Based on predictions of population growth, in 2020 an estimated 60 million Americans will have some form of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type; it affects more than 20 million Americans. An estimated 2.1 million people, about 1% of all American adults, have rheumatoid arthritis (RA

What common risk factors determine who gets arthritis, be it OA, RA, or another form? Age. Your risk of developing arthritis depends on your age. Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability among adults 18 years of age and older, with OA being the most common form of arthritis in this age group.
Gender:- In general, arthritis occurs more frequently in women than in men. Before age 45, OA occurs more frequently in men; after age 45, OA is more common in women. RA also occurs much more frequently in women than in men. About two to three times as many women as men have RA.
Obesity :- Obesity increases the chances of getting OA, particularly for women. There is a clear link between obesity and the development of OA of the knee in women. Diet and exercise can help with weight control and minimize the stress on weight-bearing joints.
Work factors:- Work-related repetitive injury and physical trauma contribute to the development of OA. If you have a strenuous job that requires repetitive bending, kneeling, or squatting, you are at high risk for OA You may want to explore the options for minimizing the effects of arthritis in the workplace.

What is Arthritis?
Arthritis, in general terms, is inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints. Arthritis has multiple causes; just as a sore throat may have its origin in a variety of diseases, so joint inflammation and arthritis are associated with many different illnesses.

Arthritis and the Feet
Arthritis is a frequent component of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 identifiable disorders. If the feet seem more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, it is because each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted, and there is no way to avoid the pain of the tremendous weight-bearing load on the feet. Arthritis is a disabling and occasionally crippling disease; . In some forms, it appears to have hereditary tendencies.. People over 50 are the primary targets. Arthritic feet can result in loss of mobility and independence, but that may be avoided with early diagnosis and proper medical care.

Some Causes Besides heredity, arthritic symptoms may arise in a number of ways:
• Through injuries, notably in athletes and industrial workers, especially if the injuries have been ignored (which injuries of the feet tend to be).
• Through bacterial and viral infections that strike the joints.
• In conjunction with bowel disorders such as colitis and ileitis, frequently resulting in arthritic conditions in the joints of the ankles and toes. Such inflammatory bowel diseases seem distant from arthritis, but treating them can relieve arthritic pain.
• Using drugs, both prescription drugs and illegal street drugs, can induce arthritis.

Symptoms
Because arthritis can affect the structure and function of the feet it is important to see a doctor of podiatric medicine if any of the following symptoms occur in the feet:
• Swelling in one or more joints
• Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint
• Redness or heat in a joint
• Limitation in motion of joint
• Early morning stiffness
• Skin changes, including rashes and growths.

Some Forms of Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is frequently called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. Although it can be brought on suddenly by an injury, its onset is generally gradual; aging brings on a breakdown in cartilage, and pain gets progressively more severe, although it can be relieved with rest. Dull, throbbing nighttime pain is characteristic, and it may be accompanied by muscle weakness or deterioration. Walking may become erratic.
It is a particular problem for the feet when people are overweight, simply because there are so many joints in each foot. The additional weight contributes to the deterioration of cartilage and the development of bone spurs.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major crippling disorder, and perhaps the most serious form of arthritis. It is a complex, chronic inflammatory system of diseases, often affecting more than a dozen smaller joints during the course of the disease, frequently in a symmetrical pattern—both ankles, or the index fingers of both hands, for example. It is often accompanied by signs and symptoms—lengthy morning stiffness, fatigue, and weight loss—and it may affect various systems of the body, such as the eyes, lungs, heart, and nervous system. Women are three or four times more likely than men to suffer RA.
RA has a much more acute onset than osteoarthritis. It is characterized by alternating periods of remission, during which symptoms disappear, and exacerbation, marked by the return of inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Serious joint deformity and loss of motion frequently result from acute rheumatoid arthritis. However, the disease system has been known to be active for months, or years, then abate, sometimes permanently.
Gout (gouty arthritis) is a condition caused by a buildup of the salts of uric acid—a normal byproduct of the diet—in the joints. A single big toe joint is commonly the affected area, possibly because it is subject to so much pressure in walking; attacks of gouty arthritis are extremely painful, perhaps more so than any other form of arthritis. Men are much more likely to be afflicted than women, an indication that heredity may play a role in the disease. While a rich diet that contains lots of red meat, rich sauces, shellfish, and brandy is popularly associated with gout, there are other protein compounds in foods such as lentils and beans that may play a role.
Diagnosis Different forms of arthritis affect the body in different ways; many have distinct systemic affects that are not common to other forms. Early diagnosis is important to effective treatment of any form. Destruction of cartilage is not reversible, and if the inflammation of arthritic disease isn’t treated, both cartilage and bone can be damaged, which makes the joints increasingly difficult to move. Most forms of arthritis cannot be cured, but can be controlled or brought into remission; perhaps only five percent of the most serious cases, usually of rheumatoid arthritis, result in such severe crippling that walking aids or wheelchairs are required.
Treatment The objectives in the treatment of arthritis are controlling inflammation, preserving joint function (or restoring it if it has been lost), and curing the disease if that is possible. Because the foot is such a frequent target, the doctor of podiatric medicine is often the first physician to encounter some of the complaints—inflammation, pain, stiffness, excessive warmth, injuries. Even bunions can be manifestations of arthritis. Arthritis may be treated in many ways. Patient education is important. Physical therapy and exercise may be indicated, accompanied by medication. In such a complex disease system, it is no wonder that a wide variety of ayurvedic medicines have been used effectively to treat it;

DO'S AND DONOT'S FOR Arthritis
• Take diet rich in proteins, calcium such as milk & vitamins
• Drink water in copper glasses
• Avoid junk food
• Do regular physical activities without stressing out the body
• Avoid excess use of stairs
• Always take light salt in meals
• Avoid meals including curd, rice, kadi, rajma (red kidney beans), bhindi ,choley, muli (radish), arbee(taro root), urad ki daal, gobhi (cauliflower), brinjal, sitaphal (sugar apple).

HOME REMEDIES FOR Arthritis
• Intake of a tea spoon of sesame oil, soaked in ¼ cupof water and keep over night.has been found to be effeicient in joint pains.
• Intake of 2 table spoons of lemon juice with a tea spoon of honey mixed with warm water is helpful in curing Arthritis.
• Warm coconut oil to be mixed with camphor should be massaged an aching joint with soft hands.do not massage gently.plz avoid air contacts after massage therapy.
• Intake of ½ tea spoon of turmeric ( haldi) powder with milk or with water help in pain and in swelling too.
• Mix 5 drops of ginger oil with 20 drops of almond oil and massage into tender areas.avoid air contact after massage.
• Avoid cold water treatments and cold bath and cold sprays too.
• Arthritis patients always recommended to take calcium , zinc and vit c.
• Olive oil massage also relax in paining joints.
• Arthritis patients must be given luke warm enema for few days to cleanse the bowels.
• Steam bath after massage helps In pain but avoid air contact after it.
• Prepare garlic pate and apply on affected area, it’s a effective home remedy.
• Eating 2-3 garlic slices to get relief from pain.
• 2 spoon of honey mix with 1 spoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water and drink this mixture, helps in paining joints.

Note: not for people who suffer from acidity
• Alfalfa teahelps in joint pains.
• Take ½ tea spoon of guggul twice a day after meal with water.is very good in Arthritis.
• Intake of 5gm of ashwagandha with warm milk good in Arthritis.
• Take bath with warm water after adding some salt in it.it will relieves joints and strengthen bones and improves blood circulation .
• Intake of aloevera juice also helps in joint pain.
• Intake of meethi dana with aloevera also works in pain.
• Sauth, suranjaan, ashwagandha mixture powder to be taken with hot milk in the morning is very effective in joint pain .
• Intake of halwa of aloevera helps in paining joints.