The word arthritis literally means "joint inflammation." Osteoarthritis is the most common of more than 100 kinds, followed by rheumatoid arthritis and gout; an estimated one-third of Americans suffer from some form of arthritis or joint pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms include swelling, inflammation, redness and stiffness. If the pain coincides with fever and tenderness, it might be a case of infectious arthritis.

Causes

Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown and loss of cartilage, causing friction between bones. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissue. Older adults, women, overweight people and those with family histories of arthritis are at a higher risk of developing arthritis.

Treatments

Treatments include physical therapy, exercise, drugs or surgery. In mild cases doctors might prescribe a strong aspirin to alleviate pain. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory joint injections or chemotherapy medications might be necessary.

Alternative Remedies

Ginger is often used to relieve pain and swelling caused by inflammation; take 2-4 grams daily in the form of juice, extract or tea. Ginger oil or fresh ginger root can also be applied topically to affected areas.

Prevention

You can take steps to prevent the onset of arthritis: Avoid frequent strain on joints, engage in regular moderate exercise, drink lots of water, lose extra weight, eat healthful foods, and take vitamin C and D supplements.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Arthritis

University of Maryland: Ginger

Learn to Prevent Arthritis

Resource:

Arthritis Foundation

NY Times Health Guide: Arthritis