All arthritis conditions affect the musculoskeletal system and joints which causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, and damage to the joint cartilage. The joints are protected by tissue called cartilage which ensures the ends of bones don’t rub against one another.

The cells or chondrocytes which cartilage is made up of are similar to the ones in the other glands in the human body. Like in the case of all living cells, chondrocytes die and are replaced.

However, over time inflammation can kill more cartilage cells than the body can replace. This is especially true if there has been an injury or there are not enough proper nutrients in the body to repair the joint.

Damage from this condition can also cause joint weakness, instability and deformities; all of which interrupt daily activities. The traditional treatment to arthritis demands change of one’s lifestyle besides physical therapy and medication. In most cases your only option is to have a replacement surgery done to soothe the excruciating pain in the joints.

There are two main categories that arthritis can be grouped into, these categories are based on the ‘generalized’ or ‘localized’ areas of the joints or body that have been affected and then they branch off into sub-categories. When the soft tissues that cover the bones or the joints are damaged it is considered as a localized condition and is also known as bursitis or tendinitis.

It could just be that the localized conditions could manifest themselves in just one of two joints being affected. In generalized arthritis, the disease affects the soft tissue and muscle where there isn’t any evidence of inflammation or swelling. Fibromyalgia, even though it isn’t associated with joint damage, is a very common form which can be placed under this particular category.

In the second sub-group is a condition in which the person suffering from this condition may have swelling on the whole body. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis come under this category. Vasculities (affects all the organs), polymyositis (affects muscles) and erythematosus (affects kidney, skin and other organs) are the other conditions that belong to the generalized category.

46 million adults and 300,000 children are approximately affected in the United States with one or more of the 100 different medical arthritic conditions. This condition can start as early as infancy, while it is most common among adults over 60, primarily in the form of osteoarthritis. As the American population ages, the number of people suffering with it is increasing.

Medical care and indirect expenses costs over 124 billion dollars in the US where arthritis and related problems are the main cause of disability. By taking the time to follow a couple of simple steps, most individuals can help to prevent osteoarthritis: The ability to maintain the appropriate weight and consume fresh vegetables and fruits are a really good source of vitamins D and C.

Consumption of calcium is very important, adults must consume about 1000-1500mg calcium every day, exercising daily is a must and one must avoid injuries that may damage the joints.