To get to the root of the word arthritis, we have to go back to the Greek. In Greek, ‘arthron’ means joint, and ‘itis’ means swelling or inflammation in joints. It isn’t uncommon for an arthritis sufferer to wonder what they did to cause the onset of the disease. They also want to know why the condition causes such severe pain. This article will provide answers to both questions.

Arthritis by Any Other Name

There’s a reason for the cartilage in your joints. It’s there to cushion the movements of the joint. There are many things that can damage cartilage. For example a lot of friction, some type of trauma, or a faulty immune system can all take their toll on cartilage. Whatever the cause, worn and damaged cartilage leads to a lot of irritation and swelling. So when the patient tries to use that joint, pain and stiffness result.

The reasons for arthritis are many, but most of them have to do with aging. For instance, older, overweight individuals who have arthritis will find themselves in even more pain than people who weigh less. The reason for this is that every time they move, their weight is placing an enormous load of stress on hip, back, and leg joints causing them to hurt badly.

Damaged cartilage means pain, no matter what the cause. Bones come together at joints, and the cartilage in the joint prevents direct contact. If the cartilage is damaged, however, it lets the bone endings grind into each other sending feelings of pain to the brain.

After the damaged cartilage has disappeared altogether, and bones have been allowed to grind into each other for a long period of time, it isn’t unusual for the bones themselves to sustain damage, such as splintering and actual breakage. Did you ever realize that bunions are often the direct result of arthritis? These painful sores result when the arthritis-related development of additional bone matter causes that area of the body to continually rub against another.

Although many medications have been tried, nothing has been found that will stop the devastating progression of arthritis or cure the disease altogether. Researchers worldwide are busy looking for answers. In the meantime, arthritis sufferers have tried other options such as herb medicines, bee venom, alternative medicine practices, such as yoga, and others looking for the elusive cure to this life-altering disease.

None of the natural remedies people have tried are perfect, but scientists are now thinking that they show potential for making a difference in the lives of arthritis sufferers. Who knows? Maybe a real cure for arthritis is right around the corner!