
Arthritis actually means inflammation or swelling of a joint, accompanied by pain. But nowadays it used by laymen as a general term for any disease of the joint.
Arthritis is a symptom of a disease and not a disease by itself.
Cause
The cause of arthritis is largely non specific. But various factors like heredity, obesity, injury and stress may play a part.
The 2 most common causes are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Other causes can be
- Infections from different bacteria.
- Rheumatic fever.
- Gout.
- Tuberculosis, psoriasis and even intestinal diseases like Crohns.
Symptoms
- Swelling.
- Pain.
- A general feeling of stiffness and restricted movements esp. in the morning.
- Red shiny skin over the joints.
- Deformity of joint later on Sometimes there may be numbness, loss of appetite, low grade fever and a general sense of being unwell.