Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It is characterized by stiffness and pain, typically worse in the morning or after exercise. It also typically comes with swelling, deformity, and a decreased range of motion. Bone deformities may develop in the affected joints from chronic inflammation, causing further pain and decreased mobility.

Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is caused by deterioration of the cartilage that protects the ends of bones attached at that joint. It can be a result of wear-and-tear from stress on the joint, aging, injury, diet, and lifestyle. This type of arthritis rarely affects anyone under the age of 40, but affects nearly everyone in some joint by the age of 60. The cartilage in the joint ecomes rough, which results in friction. Osteoarthritis usually affects weight-bearing joints of the knees, hips and back, and also the hands and knuckles. The tendons, ligaments and muscles that support the joint become weaker, and the entire joint becomes deformed, painful, and stiff. Inflammation is not usually present in the early stages, but become a problem later on. Osteoarthritis makes the bones brittle, so fractures become a risk.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an autoimmune disease caused by an overactive immune system. The body's immune system mistakes the joint membrane to be foreign, and mounts an attack against the joint (self-attacking-self). This immune response causes inflammation, which damages cartilage and the tissues surrounding the joint. Furthermore, the inflammation stimulates the production of enzymes that slowly digest the supporting tissues, which then forms scar tissue, narrowing the joint space and causing bone fusing. It affects all the joints in the body. This causes symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and even systemic effects such as weight loss, anemia and fever. The typical age of onset is between 25-50. Emotional or physical stress, infection, poor diet, and food allergies are associated with the onet of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is treatable using naturopathic medicine. Simple lifestyle changes, nutritional support, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and herbs can relieve the inflammation and pain, stop further degeneration and nourish the affected joints.

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