Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints in a person's body. It's estimated that one out of every three American adults has some type of arthritis. In addition, more women than men suffer from arthritis.

The most common causes of arthritis include injuries due to sports, falls, overexertion and repetitive motions. More mature people tend to have arthritis, but younger people may have it as well. Some types of arthritis may be caused from infection in the joints. In many cases, arthritis is the result of a degeneration of the cartilage in the joints.

For most people suffering from arthritis, the pain is usually worse first thing in the morning and gets better as the day goes on. Milder forms of arthritis may be treated with over-the-counter medications such as Motrin. More severe cases may require prescribed medicines which require close monitoring by a physician. While there is no cure for arthritis, the medications for it have improved dramatically in recent years. Also, in extreme cases of joint degeneration, surgical joint replacements are recommended and can greatly improve a person's quality of life.