Arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints, but more commonly, it refers to the over 100 conditions that can cause joint pain. These include: Gout, old injuries, infections, Systemic Lupus, Psoriasis, Crohn's and other autoimmune diseases. Determining which of these culprits is to blame for your pain is critical to choosing the most effective treatment. Two of the most well-known forms are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, commonly referred to as degenerative joint disease, affects more than 35% of women after the age of 60. Some people notice that their joints "crack" or that they are developing "knobby" fingers; however the most common symptom is joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. It affects an estimated 1% of the world population and can start at any age. While newer treatments can halt the progression of the disease in most cases, it can cause significant joint damage if left untreated. Regardless of
