The number of people suffering arthritis is growing every year, as millions go through this painful condition, it's important to know what actually causes this disabling disease. This is mainly because, in order to find the best treatment for you, it's necessary to first identify the cause behind the pain in your joints.

There are two common forms of arthritis, namely, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is usually caused by frequent wear and tear of joints, which generally leads to damaged joints and tissues surrounding them. The elderly group is the most affected, along with overweight people and all those who use the same joints repeatedly. Arthritis symptoms mostly include swelling and pain, which is why the joints aren't easy to move.

There are a few persisting arthritis symptoms such as swelling or inflamed joints, lasting joint pains and stiff joints, especially during the morning times. The pain caused by arthritis maybe be bearable and in some cases even disables the patient, preventing him/her from normal day-to-day physical activities. If left untreated, this condition may become a problem for life. Therefore, before going for any kind of treatment for arthritis, one should the common causes behind it.

Age - The older we get, the more chances we have of acquiring arthritis. This is because the cartilage that works on protecting the joints becomes thinner and the ability to repair itself weakens. The condition is also called 'wear and tear' disease due to its nature.

Being Overweight - Yes, overweight people are more prone to arthritis, as they can easily develop knee osteoarthritis. Since the leg joints and your knees carry most of the body's weight, heavy weight can put more pressure on the joints and knees. Which is why being overweight is the leading cause of arthritis. The only way this can be dealt with is to bring down the weight in order to minimize the stress on your joints and reduce the chances of getting arthritis.

Injury - Studies show that osteoarthritis can occur in those joints that have gone through an injury before. However, just because you broke your bone in the past or had some other injury doesn't necessarily mean that you acquire arthritis later on in life.

Job and lifestyle - A few jobs require lifting heavy objects, which involves frequent bending and repetitive joint movement. If you've got such type of a job, you run a high risk of joint problems or bone injuries, which could lead to arthritis over time. It's important follow the right safety precautions while lifting to avoid any kind of joint problems.

Even though it's difficult to ascertain the exact cause of your arthritis, it doesn't mean that you need to live with it the rest of your life. It’s vital that you take all the needed steps to minimize the condition. Consult your doctor and ask him to advise you your own arthritis management plan, so that you're back to yourself and live your life to the fullest.