If you have arthritis you can experience symptoms like aching joints, pain, stiffness and swelling.

Arthritis refers to conditions where your joints become damaged or inflamed and break down. Loss of cartilage between the joints leads to pain and stiffness

When arthritis pain hits you  are likely to become sedentary and to cuddle the injured area. However, staying still is not the best therapy for arthritic pain. Keeping active and helping yourself to stay physically able is the best way to handle any painful episodes

 Well-known types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, childhood arthritis and gout.

• Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in older people.This usually occurs because of damage to the protective cartilage between the bones mostly in the feet, hands, hips, knees and spine.
• Autoimmune types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus.Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that's caused by an autoimmune reaction.Your body's immune system attacks your body's own healthy tissues resulting in inflammation of your joints.
• While systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus is another autoimmune type of arthritis that causes an immune response that affects many parts of your body as well. Affected parts may include your skin, joints, blood, kidneys and brain.
• Gout is another form of arthritis, this condition occurs when your kidneys do not get rid of enough of a substance called uric acid. The substance builds up and causes painful flare-ups that affect your joints in the big toe, wrist, ankle, knee, foot, hand, or elbow.

Arthritis is a common reason for disability. Symptoms may lead to difficulty moving and making you unable to undertake daily activities.To limit developing further adverse consequences associated with this disease good self-management is important.

Contrary to popular belief exercising an arthritic joint will not cause you more pain. It is to your benefit to engage in the exercises comfortably and  not avoid movement. Unfortunately if the joints become permanently  stiff it is difficult to turn around for any improvement. 

In reality, what exercise does is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint. When the muscle is stronger there will be less pain, more joint stability and a wider range of motion.

Maintaining physical activity is a must do and simple exercise done correctly can help improve stiffness and alleviate joint pain. Stay involved with low impact adequate physical activity as much as is possible and comfortable for you. It can reduce your  pain and help to keep the joint supple.

Various other therapies and treatments can help delay disability. You may be able to join an exercise program especially for those with arthritis. As well some basic aspects of self-care can keep your arthritis symptoms under control. .

A treatment plan may involve arthritis medications and other alternative arthritis remedies such as using ice or heat therapies as appropriate.You'll most likely need to make some lifestyle changes to help manage your arthritis pain and most importantly to maintain your well-being.

Keeping yourself healthy with arthritis also means eating wisely. It is judicious to eat an anti-inflammatory diet and not carrying excess body weight.