Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It can occur anywhere in the body and, based on that, there are several types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is the common ailment of pain in the joints observed in elderly people. Other common types of arthritic ailments are rheumatoid arthritis and gout.The word arthritis is derived from two root Greek words – arthros meaning ‘joint’ and itis meaning ‘inflammation’. Hence, arthritis literally translates as inflammation of the joints.Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means, it is a disease in which the human body attacks itself. It begins in one or two joints where an acute pain is felt. This is the most miserable phase of arthritis.
Although the onset of this disease is generally after 50 in many Americans, there are cases in younger patients who need help as well. There is no complete cure, as this condition is generally viewed as a deterioration of joints. There are medications that are prescribed by doctors who treat patients, but there has been some controversy over the safety of the medicines. This has provided more fuel to those who are interested in home remedies in order to avoid synthetic solutions to joint pain and inflammation. Some patients have arthritis that is only troublesome with minor joint pain at times. Others can have such debilitating symptoms that they cannot work or function normally, making these individuals prime candidates for arthritis home remedies.