Arthritis is swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, which generally increases with advancing age. Arthritis can be of many different types - rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, etc.

Breakage of tissues covering the end of bones at joints, deterioration of joints due to autoimmune diseases, excessive uric acid and diseases like psoriasis and lupus can cause arthritis. Injury and infection too can cause arthritis. Genetic factors and smoking too can cause arthritis.

Arthritis may start between the age of 20s to 40s and worsens with age as the joint starts to weaken due to wear and tear, increase in weight or due to wrong postures.

The common signs of arthritis are joint pain, swelling, redness, stiffness of joints, and decreased motion. Occasionally, cracking sounds too can be heard in arthritis.

We can prevent arthritis by eating a healthy diet, control bodyweight, indulge in moderate daily exercise, avoid joint injury during playing sports and preventing joint strain in day to day work with correct posture techniques. Controlling sugar levels too can help prevent arthritis.